In an official statement, KKR said the decision was implemented following due process and internal consultations, in line with the directive received from the BCCI.
Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the directive, stating that the board has also allowed KKR to sign a replacement player if they choose to do so.
"Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement," Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, told news agency ANI on Saturday.
While no official explanation was provided, reports in Indian media have suggested that the move is linked to ongoing geo-political tensions in the region.
Some Indian spiritual and political leaders have reportedly criticised KKR and owner Shah Rukh Khan for including a Bangladeshi player amid claims of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Mustafizur, who has represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches since making his debut in 2016.
The left-arm pacer was about to get INR 9.2 crore from KKR after being picked at last year’s auction, the highest amount ever for a Bangladeshi cricketer in the IPL.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh are set to tour India earlier in the year for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February–March 2026.
