Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) proprietor Shah Rukh Khan has come below intense criticism after the franchise included Bangladesh quick bowler Mustafizur Rahman for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
Politicians and non secular figures in India publicly focused the actor over the signing, in keeping with Indian media stories.
Amid the backlash, the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed KKR to launch Mustafizur from their squad for IPL 2026, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated.
Saikia stated the instruction was issued because of “latest developments which are happening all throughout”, including that if KKR asks for a substitute, the board will permit it.
Indian media reported that KKR picked Mustafizur at an public sale held in December for Indian rupees 92 million, a transfer that drew criticism and allegations that the choice ran in opposition to “nationwide sentiments” within the context raised by these opposing the signing.
Among the many reactions cited, Hindu religious chief Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya labelled Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” for hiring the Bangladeshi participant, whereas one other non secular determine, Devkinandan Thakur, additionally criticised the transfer and demanded the signing be revoked.
Thakur was additionally quoted as demanding that INR 92 million be paid to households of Hindu youngsters he stated have been murdered, linking his criticism to what he described as focused atrocities in opposition to Hindus in Bangladesh.
Political criticism was additionally reported. Shiv Sena (UBT) was quoted as calling Bangladeshis “enemies” and urging KKR to drop such gamers and select Indian cricketers.
Shiv Sena chief Sanjay Nirupam criticised the signing and stated the Indian authorities wanted to intervene, including that the actor ought to take away the participant to keep away from being focused.
Individually, Indian media quoted Maharashtra Minority Fee Chairman Pyare Khan as calling for decisive motion to guard minority communities and interesting for a ban on such gamers “so {that a} message might be despatched”.
In one other response, BJP chief Sangeet Som, a former Uttar Pradesh legislator, additionally referred to as Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” and warned that gamers like Mustafizur would “not be capable of step out of the airport” if they arrive to India, once more referencing the December public sale and the INR 92 million payment.
