The former Afghanistan captain, Mohammad Nabi, has blasted a reporter due to the question surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 controversy involving the left-arm Bangladesh pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after the BCCI banned the pacer and forced the franchise to release him from their squad. 

While a lot has been talked and written about the incident, as one of the Bangladesh reporters asked Nabi to share his view on the controversy, the Afghanistan allrounder is currently playing for the Noakhali Express in the ongoing 2025/26 season of the बांग्लादेशी%20मीडिया%20ने%20मुस्तफिजुर%20को%20IPL%20से%20निकालने%20के%20बारे%20में%20सवाल%20पूछा%20

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The former Karnataka and Kolkata Knight Riders’ spinner, KC Cariappa, has decided to retire from Indian cricket as he aims to feature in the overseas franchise leagues around the world. The 31-year-old featured in 23 innings in first-class cricket, where he has earned 75 wickets at an average of 23.20 and a strike rate of 55.8, thanks to his 54-wicket haul and six 5-wicket hauls.

From Karnataka, Cariappa made the move to Mizoram, where he featured in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) and picked up one wicket in his last game against Manipur, besides picking two 3-wicket holes against Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. He has always been a very fine bowler in the shortest format of the game.

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In 20 innings of the domestic 50-over format, the spinner has picked up 24 wickets at an average of Justice over 31 and a strike rate of 43.2, thanks to his economy rate of 4.38 with the best figures of 3/28. In case of the T20s, he has picked up 58 wickets at an economy rate of 6.60 at an average of 24.62.

KC Cariappa retires from all forms of Indian cricket

Cariappa was part of two IPL franchises, the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings, from 2015 to 2019. In his very first season, he played just one game for Kolkata, where he picked a 1 wicket before featuring in nine clashes for the Punjab side, where he picked up seven wickets in nine innings before making his move back to Kolkata, where he played just one game again in 2019.

Since then, Cariappa has not played a single IPL game. However, just like some of the other players of Indian cricket- including Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Shikhar Dhawan, and others- he also aims to feature in the overseas franchise leagues around the world, having retired from Indian cricket.

With the bat, he was not a regular candidate with an average of 26.47 in first-class cricket, having celebrated 4 half-centuries. Cariappa’s unusual action of the leg spin makes it harder for the batsman to pick him from the hand, which may also help him in future franchise leagues around the world.

The question of who KC Cariappa came to everyone’s mind when the Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions of the IPL 2015, put up a massive price of INR 2.4 crore, which was 24 times his base price of the leg spinner in that year’s auction. Curiously, both the BCCI and the Karnataka State Cricket Association had him listed as an off-break bowler.

At five feet 11 inches, the Karanatakaleg spinner is tall for any other spinners and bowls with an orthodox random action as the leg break is his stock delivery with variations like the googly and the faster ones. His other strength that could make it difficult for the batters to read him is his ability to bowl off-spinners without changing the grip.

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The 31-year-old decided to take his retirement from Indian cricket with 75 wickets in just fourteen first-class games at an average of 23.20, thanks to his five four-wicket and six five-wicket hauls at the best figures of 7/69 in an innings.

Know former KKR and PBKS spinner- Karnataka’s KC Cariappa

It was 2021 when he was not picked for the Karnataka side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), before he aimed for redemption when he was picked for the Rajasthan Royals but did not feature in a single game of the season.

“It was a very depressing period for me when I was not part of the Karnataka team earlier this year. I did well last year in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but after that, things became bad for me. I was just roaming around in Bengaluru, and my fitness had taken a toll, but that is when Zubin (Bharucha) sir called me to ask me to come for the IPL trials. I was shocked that someone was asking me to come for trials because I had been lost for one year.” Cariappa claimed.  

“Zubin sir then called me and said, 'I've been following you since 2015, but what is wrong with you? What is wrong with your fitness? We like your bowling, but you have to get your fitness right.' And that was the moment when I found the motivation again, and I worked really hard to get back into shape. So I'm really thankful to him and to the Rajasthan Royals franchise.” The leg spinner concluded.

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.

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.

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. 

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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.

IPL 2025 was a disappointing season for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). There was the defending champion, who could not even qualify for the playoffs. The end of the season came off with an alarming situation for the franchise. Ahead of a new season, which is IPL 2026, KKR officials made their intentions clear: they are going to shake up their setup massively.

On paper, the franchise retained most of their key players, but strategically, some major changes are expected. On Sunday, KKR, from their official social media account 'X,' shared a video that is considered a hint about their new opening pair. Last season, the team had tried multiple opening pairs with very little effect for them.

After the departures of Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, it was clear that KKR can create a new opening pair. According to the latest video, Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen can tie a knot for the opening combination in the IPL 2026 season. Finn Allen is known for his swashbuckling batting style, while Rahane is known for his classic batting style. The possible combination of Allen and Rahane can bring some much-needed balance on top of KKR's batting lineup. 

New jodi at home? 💜 pic.twitter.com/QJMU5flK9R

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 28, 2025

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KKR Full Squad for IPL 2026:

Retained Players

Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Varun Chakravarthy, Ramandeep Singh, Ankul Roy, Rovman Powell, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik.

New Players

Cameron Green (25.20 cr), Matheesha Pathirana (18 cr), Mustafizur Rahman (9.20 cr), Tejasvi Singh (3 cr), Finn Allen (2 cr), Tim Seifert (1.50 cr), Rahul Tripathi (75 L), Kartik Tyagi (30 L), Daksh Kamra (30 L), Sarthak Ranjan (30 L), Prashant Solanki (30 L), Akashdeep (1 cr), Rachin Ravindra (2 cr).

There are enough chances to see some changes in the ownership of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, it is reported that Shah Rukh Khan himself can purchase some more stakes of the franchise. Currently, he has 55 per cent ownership of the company; in the near future, the percentage under him can increase by a significant margin.

Ahead of a new season of the Indian Premier League, there were speculations about some possible changes among the stakeholders of KKR. So, with valid reasons, many thought that the Kolkata-based franchise could get new owners on board. But now, the situation is looking different. Not new owners, but Shah Rukh Khan himself is expected to get the bigger stake.

KKR is currently owned by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies and Juhi Chawla-Joy Mehta's Mehta Group. While Red Chillies has a 55 per cent stake, the Mehta Group is the owner of the remaining amount of the company. It is learnt that the Mehta Group expressed their desire to sell off their stakes to increase their capital.

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Shah Rukh Khan likely to purchase more shares in KKR

According to media reports, the current market value of the Knights is much higher than when the two companies jointly owned the Knights. So, Mehta Group has initiated the process to gain some more funds by selling some shares of KKR. It is pretty possible that Khan will cash in a more significant amount of shares.

But it is worth noting that Juhi Chawla-Joy Mehta's Mehta Group will remain as one of the owners of KKR, as they are not going to sell their entire ownership. After Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who have won 5 IPL trophies each so far, Kolkata Knight is considered the third most successful team in the league, as they have 3 trophies in their trophy cabinet.

The former star member of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Aakash Chopra, has analyzed the squad for the three-time champions heading into the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He raised a few concerns over the batting department and discussed the various combinations that could be put on.

Kolkata, who came into the auction with a massive purse, went on to sign the star all-rounder, Cameron Green, along with the left-arm pacer of Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman, and the Sri Lankan speedster, Matheesha Pathirana. Chopra decoded the squad.

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“A topic of discussion would be which four overseas players would play. Among the four overseas players, if they make a keeper-batter open, who will bat in the lower order? That is a big question. They have generally had a keeper opener. They have taken Tim Seifert and Finn Allen this time.” Aakash Chopra expressed on his YouTube channel.

Akash Chopra decodes KKR squad for IPL 2026

Kolkata perhaps had the worst campaign for any side in the IPL that won the trophy in the previous edition. The Knight Riders will hope to turn it around in 2026.

“If I make Narine open with Rahane, play Cameron Green at No. 3, Angkrish Raghuvanshi as a keeper at No. 4 or else get Tejasvi to keep, then Rinku at No. 5, Ramandeep at No. 6, and Rovman Powell at No. 7 or vice versa, and then Tejasvi, how is it looking now? It looks like a better team. You can use Tejasvi if required. If you don’t need him, you can get Anukul Roy.” Chopra addressed.

“They already had 16 overs of bowling. They now have 22-23 overs of bowling. They already had Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Then two or three overs from Cameron Green and four overs from Matheesha Pathirana/Mustafizur Rahman. This is a gun bowling unit.” The former opener of India concluded.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for IPL 2026:

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