Senior Indian politician Shashi Tharoor and former India cricketer Madan Lal have both criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of the IPL 2026, describing the move as an alarming example of politics intruding into sport.
Mustafizur, who was signed by KKR for INR 9.20 crore at the IPL mini-auction — the highest price ever paid for a Bangladeshi cricketer — was officially released after sustained pressure from politicians and religious groups in India. Several reports suggested that leaders linked to the ruling BJP had targeted both the player and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, citing political tensions and allegations concerning minority safety in Bangladesh.
Reacting on social media shortly after Mustafizur’s release, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the decision as “deplorable” and questioned the motivations behind it. He asked whether similar action would have been taken had the player belonged to a different religious background.
“Who are we punishing here — a nation, an individual, or his religion?” Tharoor wrote, warning that such “mindless politicising of sport” could have dangerous consequences.
Speaking earlier to Indian news agency ANI, Tharoor reiterated that sport should remain insulated from political disputes. He stressed that Mustafizur, as a professional athlete, had no involvement in political or religious issues and had never been accused of any wrongdoing.
“Cricket should not be made to bear the burden of political tensions,” Tharoor said. “Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer. Mixing these issues is simply unfair.”
Former India all-rounder Madan Lal echoed similar sentiments, criticising the BCCI for yielding to external pressure. Speaking to India Today, Lal said political interference was damaging the integrity of sport and unfairly placing players in difficult positions.
“I don’t know where cricket is heading if politics continues to enter sport like this,” Lal said. “Players should not be dragged into political battles. They are being used, and that is wrong.”
Indian media reports claim that several BJP leaders and religious figures openly criticised KKR and Shah Rukh Khan for signing Mustafizur, with some issuing inflammatory remarks against the franchise owner.
