Mustafizur Rahman IPL Exit Not Discussed in Any Meeting, No Response From Saikia: Top BCCI Official

The decision that led to Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman being released from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of IPL 2026 was not discussed or debated at any formal level within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a top board official has revealed.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the official claimed that even senior figures associated with the IPL were caught off guard by the development.

Mustafizur Rahman IPL Exit Not Discussed in Any Meeting, Photo: Mustafizur Rahman- X

The official, who holds a key position within the BCCI and is also involved with IPL operations, said the news came as a shock internally. "We ourselves got to know about this through the media. There was no discussion. No suggestion was taken from our side," the official told The Indian Express, adding that he learned about Mustafizur potentially losing out on a ₹9.2 crore contract just like the general public.

The report further stated that no official board meeting was convened to deliberate on Mustafizur's status, suggesting that the move was more in the nature of a directive than a collective decision. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was reportedly approached for clarification on the matter but did not respond.

Earlier, Saikia had issued a media statement on January 3, saying, "Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad." The statement did not elaborate on whether the instruction followed any formal consultation process.

The decision triggered a strong response from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government directed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that Bangladesh's matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup be moved out of India. BCB director Faruque Ahmed, speaking exclusively to India Today, cited player safety concerns and called for a hybrid model similar to that used for India-Pakistan fixtures, with Pakistan playing their matches in Sri Lanka.

Subsequently, Bangladesh's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was instructed to suspend the telecast of the IPL indefinitely. Mustafizur's removal reportedly stemmed from heightened tensions following attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which led certain right-wing groups in India to question his inclusion.

Despite the controversy, Mustafizur remained a sought-after player at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, drawing bids from three franchises. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan also found himself under scrutiny. Mustafizur has previously represented Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, underscoring his value and experience in the league.

Credit: Mykhel