Once again, Bangladesh's left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is in the cricket circle's discussions, this time because of his registration for the Draft of Pakistan Super League 11, which has been planned for the 2026 season. This move follows very closely after his unanticipated departure from Indian Premier League 2026, where he had been acquired in the mini-auction.

Calm amid controversy, Mustafizur lets performances do the talking

Although Kolkata Knight Riders had spent INR 9.20 crore on Mustafizur, his involvement was later denied due to the BCCI's directives. The ruling had its basis in off-the-field matters and had caused a lot of discussions among fans and experts, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board also opposing the move and voicing their objections.

Amidst all the noise and controversy around the situation, Mustafizur's close ones are saying that the pacer has been very calm and focused. The Bangladesh cricket coaching staff have said that Mustafizur has not allowed the setback to affect his mindset and continues to focus on his performances on the field. His recent appearances in domestic cricket, especially his bowling towards the end of the innings, have reiterated that he is still considered one of the best T20 bowlers in the world.

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The signing of Mustafizur for the PSL 11 draft after his IPL disappointment has made a lot of news. He is already being valued highly by a lot of the PSL teams because they think of his experience, skill-set and ability to deliver in difficult situations as their biggest assets. The league’s social media activity with the Bangladeshi fast bowler has also played a part in increasing the talk around a possible transfer.

Mustafizur puts cricket first as IPL controversy opens wider debate

Not only has the whole saga unravelled, it has also set off a discussion about the extent to which political issues are able to affect international cricket, or more exactly, franchise cricket. Nevertheless, Mustafizur’s rapid shift of focus does not only show the professional side of him but also his commitment to the sport. The 30-year-old, who had been a hot pick in the global T20s, has once again demonstrated that he is not a person to be forgotten, by putting cricket first and leaving his options opened.

In case of selection, Mustafizur Rahman will be one of the top international players in the contest who, besides his good reputation, will also be a valuable resource for the team he joins in terms of bowling strength.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to receive any compensation after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the upcoming IPL season. The decision was taken following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), even though the player had no role in the events that led to his exit. The situation has raised fresh questions about player rights in cases influenced by non-cricketing factors.

Mustafizur was a high-profile signing at the IPL auction, picked up by KKR for ₹9.20 crore after strong competition from Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. However, his contract was terminated after recent incidents involving attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, which reportedly led the Indian cricket board to step in and advise franchises accordingly.

The situation has also affected relations between the two cricket boards. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches to be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. While the debate continues around fairness, current rules leave little protection for the player.

Why Mustafizur Rahman Is Unlikely to Get Any Compensation

Sources say that IPL player salaries are insured, but only under specific conditions. As explained by an IPL insider, "The salaries of all IPL players are insured. For foreign international players, normally the franchise pays if he is injured after joining the camp or during the course of the tournament. Normally up to 50 percent is paid from insurance. It is better for India's injured centrally contracted cricketers who normally get paid by the BCCI."

But Mustafizur Rahman’s situation is not covered under these rules of insurance. His release was not due to injury, fitness concerns, or any cricket-related reason. Since the situation is outside the standard clauses, Kolkata Knight Riders are not legally bound to pay him any compensation.

The source further explained the legal side of the issue, saying, "In case of an insurance claim, this current situation isn't covered so KKR are under no official obligation to pay a penny. It is unfortunate but Mustafiz doesn't have much option but to take a legal route and the IPL comes under Indian law jurisdiction. No overseas cricketer would want to go through this or take the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) route." Political factors also reduce the chances of any legal challenge. As the source added, "The Indo-Bangladesh political scenario is way more fluid than Indo-Pak, and it can change next year, so why would one take the risk of legal recourse."

As things stand, despite being a high-value signing with no professional or disciplinary fault, Mustafizur Rahman is expected to walk away without compensation, highlighting the limits of player protection when decisions are driven by political and administrative factors rather than cricket.

The abrupt removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has created a buzz within the cricketing world. Kolkatta Knight Riders selected Mustafizur for the upcoming season, however the reason for his removal from the tournament was not due to any performance related issues, injury concerns, or scheduling conflicts. Rather, it is believed the nature of the decision was very administrative in nature and therefore opened the floodgates for questions surrounding the nature of how such a high-profile decision was made, and who participated in the decision making process.

Many have speculated that Mustafizur's removal was not based upon his play but rather something to do with the administration of the tournament. Current discussions focus on the IPL Governing Council , which is the LLC entity responsible for ensuring that the operational aspects of the IPL are delivered with integrity. Major decisions made by the franchisees that will affect them, as well as other players from foreign countries, are traditionally expected to go through an organized governance process, however there is no current clarity on whether or not the council was consulted before this decision was made.

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Some reports indicate that the decision was made very quickly at the top of the administration of cricket with instructions passed down to the franchisee directly. While you can certainly see a need for urgency to be a factor when the decision was made, you must also wonder if proper due process was followed. The fact that there is no clear process for consultation makes it appear as though there were numerous issues with coordination and decision making in the overall IPL administrative structure.

Governance Issues & Broader Consequences:

This issue of franchise governance has raised awareness about the issue of governance within franchise cricket. When the governing bodies are perceived as not having a central role, they create doubt about their institutional credibility and an overall lack of consistency for both players and franchises. The global nature of the IPL means that decisions that occur without adequate oversight may not only affect the tournament, but also have significant reputational consequences for the IPL as well as the franchisees and players.

Additionally to the domestic governance issues, Mustafizur Rahman's exit represents an international response to cricketing decisions and demonstrates how cricketing decisions can influence one's national pride. Therefore, this situation highlights the need for structured consultation and the need for transparency when developing rules and regulations within international leagues. With this in mind, it is important for the IPL's Governing Council to have a clear and open channel of communication with their members and to be able to communicate the importance of maintaining the integrity and reputation of the IPL as an International Cricket Council (ICC) Member.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) were involved in one of the biggest trades in IPL history ahead of the 2026 auction. The franchise traded their captain, Sanju Samson, in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Most of the discussion has focused on Jadeja and Samson. However, RR’s signing of Sam Curran has gone largely unnoticed. The 27-year-old recently impressed everyone with his outstanding performance in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025/26, both as a player and as a captain.

Curran finished the tournament as the Player of the Tournament. He scored 397 runs and took seven wickets in 12 matches. He also played a key role in the final, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls and leading the Desert Vipers to the title against MI Emirates. With Samson no longer part of the squad, RR are now looking for a new captain for IPL 2026, which is only a few months away.

Keeping this in mind, here are three reasons why Rajasthan Royals should consider appointing Sam Curran as their captain for IPL 2026.

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1. Most Experienced IPL Captain in the Squad

Sam Curran is the most experienced IPL captain among the current Rajasthan Royals squad. Names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Ravindra Jadeja have been suggested as possible captaincy options, but none of them have a strong leadership record in the IPL. Jaiswal has never captained an IPL side, while Jadeja and Parag have modest records, with just two wins in six matches as captains.

In comparison, Curran has led the Punjab Kings at different stages during the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. He has captained 11 IPL matches, recording five wins and six losses. Based on experience and results, Curran stands out as the most reliable captaincy option available to RR for the 2026 season.

2. Captaincy Brings Out the Best in Sam Curran

Sam Curran has often delivered his best performances when entrusted with leadership roles. This was evident in the recent ILT20, where he excelled both as a player and as captain. He also enjoyed a highly successful campaign as Surrey’s captain in the 2025 Vitality Blast.

During that tournament, Curran scored runs at an average of over 26 with a strike rate of 142.57 and took 21 wickets in 15 matches. His leadership played a key role in Surrey finishing at the top of their group with 11 wins from 14 games. Statistically, Curran’s T20 batting average improves significantly when he captains a side, rising to 34.71 compared to 25.62 when playing without captaincy duties.

A similar trend is visible in the IPL. As captain, Curran has averaged close to 28 with the bat and under 30 with the ball, which is notably better than his overall IPL figures. Appointing him as captain could help RR get the best possible output from the all-rounder.

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3. Proven Winner with Strong Leadership Credentials

Sam Curran has consistently been part of successful teams in T20 cricket. Apart from his recent ILT20 triumph, he played a key role in the Oval Invincibles’ title-winning campaigns in the Hundred, including their third consecutive title last season. He was also a member of Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning squad in IPL 2021 and was named Player of the Tournament during England’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2022.

Rajasthan Royals have been searching for their second IPL title since their historic win in 2008. Although they have come close on a few occasions, consistency has often eluded them. With Curran’s winning experience and leadership qualities, RR may find the direction and momentum needed to change their fortunes in the 2026 IPL season.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza continues to defy age and expectations in T20 cricket. At 39, the experienced all-rounder is enjoying one of the most productive phases of his career, delivering consistent performances across leagues like the SA20 and ILT20 ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Despite his strong numbers and proven pedigree, Raza surprisingly went unsold at the Indian Premier League 2026 auction - a decision that left many fans and experts puzzled.

In an era where teams constantly seek multi-dimensional players, Raza remains a rare commodity. He offers control with his off-spin, adaptability across batting positions, and vast leadership experience gained from captaining Zimbabwe. Several IPL franchises, particularly those struggling with balance and depth, could have benefited significantly from his inclusion. Here are three teams where Sikandar Raza would have been a strong fit in IPL 2026.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The Chennai Super Kings are renowned for backing experienced campaigners and extracting the best out of senior professionals. Over the years, CSK have turned veterans into match-winners through role clarity and smart usage - something that would have suited Raza perfectly.

With the squad lacking a proven overseas all-rounder and relying heavily on limited spin options, Raza could have added much-needed balance. His off-spin would have been particularly effective on slower Indian surfaces, while his ability to bat responsibly in the middle order could have stabilized an otherwise inexperienced batting lineup. Beyond numbers, his calm presence and cricketing intelligence would have aligned seamlessly with CSK’s culture of composure and tactical discipline.

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

The Kolkata Knight Riders entered IPL 2026 with noticeable gaps in their overseas spin department and finishing resources. While KKR possess explosive batting talent, consistency in the middle overs and death overs has often been a concern.

Raza would have provided a reliable solution on both fronts. As a bowler, he thrives on control rather than pace, making him ideal for containing batters during the middle phase. As a batter, his ability to rotate strike and finish innings would have eased pressure on younger players. Moreover, his experience in high-pressure games across leagues could have been invaluable during crunch moments, especially in close chases and knockout fixtures.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

The Lucknow Super Giants have built a squad full of individual match-winners, but balance remains a recurring issue. LSG lack a dependable spin all-rounder who can contribute consistently across disciplines, often forcing them to rely heavily on specialist finishers.

Sikandar Raza’s versatility would have offered LSG tactical flexibility. He could have been used as a floater with the bat, depending on the match situation, while also providing a steady bowling option when conditions suited spin. His presence would have reduced the workload on specialist bowlers and added depth to the batting order, making LSG a more complete unit across varied conditions.

While Sikandar Raza will not feature in IPL 2026, his continued success on the global T20 circuit highlights how experience and adaptability still hold immense value in modern franchise cricket. For teams willing to look beyond age and focus on impact, Raza remains one of the most underrated all-rounders in the game - and his omission could well be a missed opportunity for several franchises.

Bangladesh adviser for sport, Asif Nazrul, has ignited controversy by calling for the banning of Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts within Bangladesh. His comments followed Kolkata Knight Riders’ release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 roster amid increased political tensions between India and Bangladesh that surrounded Rahman’s acquisition for the IPL 2026 at ₹ 9.20 crore, increasing the dispute over the release.

Nazrul requested via a forceful Facebook post that the Bangladeshi Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prohibit the broadcast of all IPL matches from being shown in Bangladesh. In his statement, he suggested that the rejection of Mustafizur’s contract may set a poor precedent regarding bilateral relations between the two cricketing nations. Nazrul commented further, stating that Bangladesh would never tolerate any derogatory comments made against its players and the entirety of the cricketing industry of Bangladesh.

This situation has further deteriorated cricketing relations between the two countries, with added intensifying pressure on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to take action on an international level. Nazrul expressed that if our players cannot feel secure in India participating in league cricket, then the BCB must also question the security of our national team when participating in international tournaments within India.

T20 World Cup 2026 Venue Shift Demand Adds to Tension

In addition to asking for an IPL telecast ban, Asif Nazrul has requested that the BCB approach the ICC for assistance. All four of Bangladesh's group-stage matches at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in India, with three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai, which Nazrul argues places the Bangladeshi cricket team in an unsafe position.

Nazrul formally asked the BCB to request a venue change from India to Sri Lanka, which co-hosted the World Cup. Nazrul stated that the same considerations must be extended to Bangladesh as were done with Pakistan, which also played matches in Sri Lanka because of political issues, allowing for the safety and dignity of their players.

However, given the fact that the T20 World Cup is approaching quickly (less than a month away), many cricket analysts feel that any potential venue change is unlikely. While the controversy surrounding this issue has certainly added more tension to the overall event build-up for IPL 2026 and the World Cup, it also helps to exemplify the continuing influence of geopolitical tensions on the game of cricket internationally.

The left-arm pacer of the Bangladesh cricket team, Mustafizur Rahman, has been a massively successful bowler in the shortest format, with 158 wickets in 125 innings of the shortest format at an average of under 21 and a strike rate of 17.2 with an economy rate of just over seven at the best figures of 6/10 in an innings.

However, due to the ongoing political situation between India and Bangladesh, the BCCI has decided to ban Mustafizur from the 2026 season of the IPL, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confirming the news as they look for a replacement. The pacer, for the first time since that incident, has broken his silence.

See Also: "Couldn't believe that..."- IPL coach reacts to Shubman Gill's snub from T20 World Cup 2026 squad

“If they release me, there’s nothing much I can do.” Rahman expressed while speaking to BDCrictime. The left-arm fast bowler was sold for a healthy price of INR 9.2 crore by the Knight Riders after a fierce battle with the Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2026 auction.

 Mustafizur Rahman reacts to his IPL 2026 ban

The reports have claimed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now taken action and written to the ICC to request that the T20 World Cup 2026 games from India to Sri Lanka be rescheduled due to the players’ safety. The event, scheduled to begin in February, will see the Tigers featuring in four games of the group stage in Kolkata and Mumbai under the leadership of Litton Das.

The BCB also announced the schedule for their home season earlier this week, in which they will play three ODIs and as many T20Is at home against India. However, the BCCI has been waiting for the approval of the government, as they won’t travel to Dhaka until all the necessary permissions are in place.

The last few days have seen the KKR side and its co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, being targeted by political leaders for having Mustafizur on board amid the current tensions, as SRK was deemed a traitor by the BJP leader, Sangeet Som.

Due to a BCCI ruling, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will no longer be able to keep Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman on its roster, and as a result, KKR has had to make a number of adjustments to the make-up of their team as they prepare for IPL 2026.

While the franchise had secured Mustafizur Rahman's services at an auction price of ₹9.2 crores, after being told by the BCCI to get rid of him, KKR will need to find a way to replace him with an alternative option from the pool of unsold players. Fast bowling is vital to KKR's strategy, and so we've put together a list of three potential fast bowling replacements that the franchise could pursue.

1. Richard Gleeson

Richard Gleeson is an outstanding performer on the pitch in the SA20 league. He has taken 8 wickets in 3 matches. Gleeson was known to be Batman, who runs quickly when out too late, but he also played an important role in the Joburg Super Kings' win with his experience and ability to handle the pressure.

Gleeson is 36 years old and has IPL experience playing for CHENNAI SUPER KINGS and MUMBAI INDIANS in a total of 3 matches. He was given a base price of 75 LAKH in auctions, but his name failed to come up, despite being shortlisted. He would be a valuable acquisition for KKR in the short term based on his performance and experience in various T20 leagues throughout the world.

See Also: "Why drop Shubman Gill...?"- Yograj Singh slams India's Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel

2. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Another player who stands out from the list of fast bowlers is left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi from Afghanistan. He regularly represents his country in the T20 format and was recently named to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Farooqi brings both variety and consistency when bowling, making him one of the top candidates.

Farooqi has played in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has taken six wickets in 12 games in the IPL, which are not very good statistics, but when you look at his international T20 record, he has made an impression with 63 wickets in 51 T20Is. Overall, he has played 149 T20 games and taken 186 wickets, making him a very reliable performer with plenty of experience.

3. Spencer Johnson

Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson is also on the radar of KKR, though he is currently injured and currently missing out on the Big Bash League due to this injury. He had a disappointing season with KKR in IPL 2025, where he only collected one wicket in four matches.

However, Johnson has an impressive T20 record overall, having taken 85 wickets in 71 T20 matches. He offers both pace and bounce as a left-arm fast bowler, and if Johnson can regain his full fitness, then KKR may consider bringing him back due to their familiarity with both him and the conditions in which they play.

Since being sold for a massive amount of INR 9.2 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2026 season’s auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, has been in uncertainty about playing the next season amid the growing demands from the Indian politicians and links to politics.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Aminul Islam, has emphasized the decision and reckoned that the BCB believed in viewing this issue from a cricket perspective. He told the ANI over a phone call from Sylhet that IPL isn’t an ICC cricket event but a domestic tournament. 

See Also: "Why drop Shubman Gill...?"- Yograj Singh slams India's Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel

We will monitor the entire matter until the end, because we are people of cricket. We believe in looking at this issue from the perspective of cricket, not politics. Only one player from Bangladesh is on the Kolkata Knight Riders roster: Mustafizur Rahman.” Aminul Islam expressed over a phone call.

BCB president reacts to Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL 2026 participation

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will use the left-arm pacers as their death over specialist at the Eden Gardens, where he could use the slow deliveries and the yorkers with variations to fox the batters. The franchise has kept Mustafizur as the back-up pacer of Matheesha Pathirana, who is going to do the same job.

“So we will see what happens until the very end; we will monitor it till the end. We always encourage the game of cricket. India is our neighboring country, and we have a very good cricketing relationship with them--a very good cooperative relationship in cricket.” The BCB president reflected on the situation.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad

Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Varun Chakravarthy, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, Tejasvi Singh, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rahul Tripathi, Kartik Tyagi, Daksh Kamra, Sarthak Ranjan, Prashant Solanki, Akashdeep, Rachin Ravindra.

The signing of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman by Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL 2026 season has triggered political and social debate. Amid the noise, the IPL governing body has clarified that Bangladeshi players are allowed to take part in the league.

The issue surfaced after reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Following this, some Hindu religious leaders and BJP politicians questioned KKR’s decision to include a Bangladeshi player in the squad.

BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som targeted KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, calling him a “traitor” and claiming that associating with Bangladeshi players was against national interest. Other religious figures echoed similar views and demanded Mustafizur Rahman be removed from the team.

BCCI Responds Amid Political Reactions

On the other hand, Congress leaders and Muslim organizations came out in support of Shah Rukh Khan. They argued that IPL teams are governed by regulations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the international cricket bodies, not by the views of the common man.

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Amid this speculation, the BCCI intervened to clear the air. Through senior officials, the board confirmed that there is no ban on Bangladeshi players taking part in IPL 2026. The BCCI reportedly told InsideSport that it remains in contact with the Indian government on diplomatic matters but has received no instruction that would stop Mustafizur Rahman from playing in the league.

A senior BCCI official said, “Bangladesh is not an enemy nation. As of now, there is no reason to bar Bangladeshi players from the IPL.” The board’s position follows its long-standing policy of keeping the IPL open and merit-based, except for Pakistani players, who remain excluded due to bilateral issues.

As things stand, Mustafizur Rahman continues to be part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad and is set to feature in the IPL 2026 season, which begins in March.