New Delhi: The IPL 2026 season is still months away, but the tournament has already been engulfed in controversy. Kolkata Knight Riders signed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
But the franchise is now receiving threats every day if the Pacer played for them. Rahman has played 257 international matches for Bangladesh and is one of the most successful bowlers for the country. He has also featured in eight IPL editions, playing 60 matches and taking 65 wickets at an economy of 8.13.
What is KKR and Mustafizur Rahman controversy all about?
The controversy erupted amid reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which has fuelled people with anger and emotional responses in parts of India. Due to this, certain religious organisations have openly questioned the franchise whether Mustafizur should be allowed to feature in the upcoming IPL season.
Fans on social media have also been asking questions to KRR management and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan about buying the Bangladeshi fast bowler amid diplomatic tensions and anti-India rhetoric from the Muhammad Yunus-led government in Dhaka.
Several Indian political figures, including BJP leader Sangeet Som, have called KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’ for buying Mustafizur in the auction and have publicly called for a ban on all Bangladeshi cricketers in the IPL.
The religious leaders in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, have also vowed to invade pitches and damage the stadiums if Mustafizur plays in the IPL 2026. No one from KKR, the BCCI or from IPL committee has responded to the threats officially.
But InsideSport has spoken to a senior BCCI official, who said that the board is always in touch with the government on the situation and hasn’t received any direction from them to ban Bangladeshi cricketers.
“We have to understand that it is a delicate situation. We have always been in touch with the government on evolving diplomatic situations and haven’t heard anything that would push us to ban players from Bangladesh. So yes, Mustafizur will play in IPL. Bangladesh is not an enemy nation,” the BCCI official said as quoted by InsideSport.
KKR have good fast bowling options, and it is highly unlikely Mustafizur Rahman would play many matches in the season