Mustafizur Rahman

Overview:

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier confirmed that the decision to ask KKR to part ways with the Bangladesh seamer was taken “in view of the prevailing situation.”

Shashi Tharoor has taken aim at the BCCI after Kolkata Knight Riders were instructed to end their association with Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.

Questions were raised over Mustafizur Rahman’s place in the KKR setup after the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. Amid reports pointing to violence against the Hindu community, the BCCI came under criticism from multiple sections.

The BCCI moved swiftly on Saturday, January 1, directing KKR to release the player acquired for Rs 9.2 crore and assuring them of the option to name a substitute. Tharoor was sharply critical of the move, describing it as unjust to hold a player accountable for the political climate of his home nation.

In a post on X, Shashi Tharoor questioned the rationale behind the call, asking if religious identity influenced the decision-making.

“Recalling my views on the subject, now that the BCCI has deplorably pulled the plug on Mustafizur Rahman. And what if the Bangladeshi player in question had been Litton Das or Soumya Sarkar? Who are we punishing here: a nation, an individual, his religion? Where will this mindless politicising of sport lead us?” Tharoor posted on X.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier confirmed that the decision to ask KKR to part ways with the Bangladesh seamer was taken “in view of the prevailing situation.” Mustafizur Rahman was bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore, well above his Rs 2 crore base price, following bids from CSK and DC at last month’s auction.

Since 2016, the Bangladesh pacer has appeared in eight IPL editions, missing only two seasons.He was set to feature for three-time title holders KKR for the first time in the 2026 season.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...