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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to ban Bangladeshi cricketers from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Many IPLs teams also own franchises in foreign leagues and could follow the same approach with Bangladeshi players as with Pakistani cricketers.
Kolkata Knight Riders were asked to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season following a directive from the BCCI. KKR signed the Bangladesh bowler for Rs 9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. The three-time champions will need to sign a replacement before the start of the season.
BCCI orders release of Mustafizur Rahman amid political, security concerns
The Board of Control for Cricket in India intervened after the growing unrest in Bangladesh and strong reactions from several voices in India. Many public figures criticized Shah Rukh Khan and demanded that Mustafizur Rahman should not participate in the IPL.
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Political leaders in West Bengal have also raised objections. They warned of serious consequences if Mustafizur played matches at Eden Gardens during the season.
With the situation in Bangladesh still tense and diplomatic relations strained, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that the Kolkata Knight Riders have been asked to release Mustafizur from their team immediately. He also confirmed that the BCCI would allow KKR to sign a replacement player.
In the IPL 2026 auction, seven Bangladeshi players were part of the list. However, only Mustafizur has attracted interest from the franchises. The rest remained unsold, but Mustafizur was chosen because of his lethal bowling record.
BCCI holds final authority over IPL decisions, franchises are bound by league rules
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the decision could not have been taken by any franchise alone and only the Board of Control for Cricket in India has the authority to take such decisions.
Franchises and players operate under strict contracts and league rules, which do not allow teams to act independently or make arbitrary decisions outside the framework of the IPL.
A senior IPL official said, “It had to be the BCCI’s call and the franchise could not have taken an arbitrary decision. Franchises and players are bound by certain contracts which they cannot overstep. IPL rules prevent any form of arbitrariness.”
Bangladesh players face exclusion from IPL and Indian franchises
The report adds that Bangladeshi players may not be available for India-linked franchises, a situation similar to what Pakistani players have been facing since 2008. This restriction is not limited to the Indian Premier League alone.
Many IPL franchises also have teams in foreign leagues and have always avoided recruiting Pakistani players there. The same approach could probably be applied to Bangladeshi cricketers, who might see fewer opportunities with Indian-owned teams in different leagues in the future.
“The ‘recent developments’, however, have put the Bangladesh players out of reach, as have Pakistan The players have been since 2008. Not just in the IPL, franchises, many of which also own teams in foreign leagues, have always avoided signing Pakistani players. The same fate could also befall Bangladesh players, who sporadically represent some Indian teams in different leagues,” the report said.
