Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have issued a statement after receiving an instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

KKR roped in Mustafizur for INR 9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction last month, but the recent deteriorating relationship between India and Bangladesh led to widespread calls for removal of sole Bangladeshi representative in the IPL.

In light of the prevailing situation, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Saturday (January 3) said that the board has asked KKR to let go of the left-arm pacer and also allowed the franchise to name a replacement player if required.

Hours after BCCI’s instruction, KKR confirmed that Mustafizur has been released from their squad.

"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 (IPL) season," a statement from the franchise read.

"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of 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," it added.

Earlier, Saikia addressed the situation while speaking to news agency PTI. “The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement if needed, and upon request, the BCCI will allow a replacement player,” Saikia said.

Explaining the reason behind the decision, the BCCI secretary said, “Because of recent developments all across.”

The pressure on the board had been mounting over Mustafizur’s participation in the IPL, particularly in the wake of the recent killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and India’s expression of concern regarding the safety of minorities there.

What began as a cricketing decision turned into a national debate, drawing the league, the franchise owners and the BCCI into a sensitive conversation.