Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has shared his first public reaction after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The left-arm pacer, who was picked by the three-time IPL champions for a significant sum of INR 9.20 crore during the mini auction, saw his campaign end before it even began due to a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Speaking to Bangladeshi outlet BDCricTime, the 30-year-old expressed his disappointment in a calm and resigned tone. Mustafizur stated that the situation was beyond his control and that there was little he could do once the decision had been made. His reaction reflected both frustration and acceptance, as he missed out on another opportunity to feature in the world’s biggest T20 league.
The decision to release Mustafizur did not come directly from the KKR management. As per IPL regulations, franchises are not permitted to release a player after purchasing them unless the player requests it or the BCCI intervenes. In this case, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board instructed KKR to release the Bangladesh pacer, after which the franchise complied and became eligible to sign a replacement.
The development occurred amid rising political and diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh. In recent days, KKR and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan faced criticism from certain political figures for including Mustafizur in the squad. The controversy intensified following reports of unrest and violence in Bangladesh, further straining relations between the two nations.
The issue has now extended beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced its home international schedule, which includes a limited-overs series against India. However, the BCCI has clarified that the tour is subject to government approval. Additionally, reports suggest that the BCB is considering approaching the ICC to request a venue change for Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.
Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their group-stage matches in India, but uncertainty remains over whether those fixtures will go ahead as planned. For Mustafizur Rahman, the focus will now shift back to international cricket as he looks to move on from a difficult chapter in his professional career.
