Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on Bangladesh’s request to move their 2026 T20 World Cup matches out of India, saying it is ultimately Bangladesh’s own decision whether they want to travel and play there.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally asked the International Cricket Council to ensure that Bangladesh do not play their World Cup matches at Indian venues, following a fresh escalation in tensions between the two countries’ cricketing authorities.
Speaking about the issue, Harbhajan said recent developments had clearly influenced Bangladesh’s stance. “After whatever has happened in the last few days, Bangladesh does not want to come to India,” he said. “What happened in Bangladesh was wrong. Now it is up to the ICC to decide on their request. India welcomes everyone, but whether they want to come here or not is their own decision.”
The backdrop to the dispute is the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. The Bangladesh fast bowler had been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for 9.2 crore rupees ahead of the upcoming season, but was later released following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The situation changed dramatically a few weeks after the auction. Following political developments in Bangladesh and allegations of minority violence, there was a strong reaction on social media in India, with criticism directed not only at KKR but also at the franchise’s co-owner Shah Rukh Khan.
On January 3, the BCCI intervened. Its secretary Devajit Saikia said KKR had been asked to release Mustafizur due to “recent circumstances”, without explaining those circumstances in detail. KKR later said they had no option but to comply with the board’s directive.
There is no precedent in IPL history for a contracted player being released so far ahead of a season for reasons unrelated to fitness or discipline. As a result, the matter quickly moved beyond cricket and into the realm of diplomacy.
On the day Mustafizur was released, the BCB held an emergency meeting. The Bangladesh government also decided to suspend the broadcast of the IPL in the country until further notice.
Shortly afterwards, the BCB submitted its request to the ICC, citing player safety as the primary concern and asking that Bangladesh’s matches at the 2026 T20 World Cup not be scheduled in India.
The tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is due to begin on February 7. With just over a month remaining, any changes to the schedule would present a significant logistical challenge for the ICC.
With Bangladesh’s request now formally lodged and India’s position stated, the final decision rests with the ICC, as cricket’s global body weighs security concerns against the practical realities of altering a major tournament at short notice.
