The Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad as per the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instructions. This decision comes amidst controversy surrounding Rahman’s participation in the upcoming IPL season. BCCI has allowed Kolkata Knight Riders to select a replacement player in compliance with IPL regulations.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the board directed the three-time champions to release Rahman from their squad and permitted them to find a replacement player. The move follows concerns over violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh in December and criticism of Rahman’s involvement in the IPL. Rahman, who was acquired by KKR for a record Rs 9.20 crore in the December mini-auction, became the highest-paid Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history.
Rahman, aged 30, has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches with an economy rate of 8.13 since his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. He has played for various franchises, including Mumbai Indians in 2018, Rajasthan Royals in 2021, Delhi Capitals in 2022-23, and Chennai Super Kings in 2024. In IPL 2025, he represented DC as an injury replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk.
