Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026. The three-time champions were instructed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to part ways with the pacer as controversy over his association with the franchise and the league led to massive flak.

Mustafizur Rahman spoke to BDcrictime about the latest development. “What else can you do if you are dropped?” He was bought for INR 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025, becoming the most expensive Bangladesh player ever in the history of the tournament. The situation escalated when political parties and religious heads of the organisations started slamming the KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and the three-time champions for signing a Bangladeshi player despite violent incidents targeting minorities.

The Indian Cricket Board intervened and told the Knight Riders to release the player.

“Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed KKR to release the player from their squad,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said.

“BCCI is going to allow the KKR to sign a replacement player to bolster their team,” he added.

KKR issued an official statement confirming the decision: “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 IPL season. 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.”

Mustafizur’s exit will impact KKR in the bowling department. The pacer was expected to play a key role, particularly in death overs. The assurance by the BCCI that KKR can sign a replacement player provides the team with a chance to add more firepower to the group.