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Kolkata
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are at the center of a heated IPL 2026 controversy after signing Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for a record Rs 9.20 crore, drawing threats, boycott campaigns, and political backlash over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The 30-year-old left-armer, who fetched the highest bid in a Chennai Super Kings-KKR auction war last month in Abu Dhabi, has sparked outrage from some Indian groups amid reports of minority lynching in his home country. BJP leader Sangeet Som branded KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” and demanded a ban on Bangladeshi players, while Ujjain religious leaders threatened to damage pitches if Rahman plays. Social media erupts with #BoycottKKR and #BoycottIPL hashtags, amplifying calls to sideline the franchise.
Mustafizur boasts 158 T20I wickets at an economy of 7.20 across 126 matches and 65 IPL scalps in 60 games at 8.13. He debuted with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, aiding their title win, then played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings before CSK released him post-2024 playoffs. Delhi briefly signed him last year as injury cover, but he hit the auction block again.
As per latest reports, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday confirmed that it has excluded Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL 2026 squad after the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s directive.
