On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the decision to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), wondering what significance an individual player played in the larger political crisis between India and Bangladesh.

He further questioned what harm the people of Bangladesh had done to India to deserve such action by the Indian Cricket Board.

In the midst of increased diplomatic tensions between the two nations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Rahman.

Abdullah told reporters he didn't see how removing a single cricketer would assist in improving the situation in Bangladesh or developing bilateral ties.

“What is the fault of that poor player? I agree that our relations with Pakistan are very bad. But what did the people of Bangladesh do to us? Our relations with the people of Bangladesh were good. They are still good,” Abdullah was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

Abdullah further said that Bangladesh had not caused harm to India and questioned the rationale behind targeting a sportsperson.

“Bangladesh is not involved in any terrorism in our country and did not damage us. We have close relations. Now that player has been sent out,” he said.

The Chief Minister further stated that the step of removal of Bangladeshi people could have broader repercussions for the 2019 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will be held by India and Sri Lanka. He stated that worries were being raised concerning Bangladesh's trip to India for the competition.

Abdullah remarked that if governments want to express disapproval of political events, they should take a calm approach and call for sports and politics to be handled independently.

“The people of Bangladesh are saying that they will not come to India and play. They are saying their matches should be held somewhere else. What is the fault of this player? He was ready to play. His team did not want to remove him. He did not want to go. Pressure came from above, and they removed him,” Abdullah said.

Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player sold in the IPL 2026 auction, as he was bought by KKR for INR 9.20 crores.