Kolkata Knight Riders have released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League squad, after the Board of Control for Cricket in India instructed the franchise to do so ahead of the upcoming season.
The decision, confirmed on Saturday, follows weeks of controversy surrounding Rahman’s participation in the IPL. It comes amid reports of violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in December and public criticism of the player’s involvement in the tournament.
In a statement, KKR said: “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.”
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia earlier confirmed the move, telling IANS: “The BCCI has instructed KKR to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, while also allowing the franchise to name a replacement.”
Rahman, 30, had become the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history when KKR signed him for Rs 9.20 crore at the December mini-auction. The left-arm seamer attracted strong interest after entering the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore, with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals engaged in a bidding battle before KKR secured his services.
Since making his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, Rahman has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches at an economy rate of 8.13. Over the years, he has represented Mumbai Indians in 2018, Rajasthan Royals in 2021, Delhi Capitals between 2022 and 2023, and Chennai Super Kings in 2024.
Most recently, he turned out for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 after being signed as an injury replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk.
KKR, three-time IPL champions, are now expected to move quickly to identify a replacement, with the BCCI confirming that the franchise will be permitted to do so under league regulations.
