The controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman's exit from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 IPL season has sparked outrage, with Indian cricketing legend Madan Lal questioning the intrusion of politics into sports. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed KKR, co-owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, to release the Bangladeshi pacer, a decision that has drawn severe criticism from various quarters.

KKR picked up Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore during the IPL auction in December 2025. However, this move triggered a political and public backlash, fueled by strained diplomatic relations and communal sensitivities between India and Bangladesh.

Several political and religious figures publicly condemned the inclusion of Rahman in the KKR squad. Sangeet Som, a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh, went so far as to call Shah Rukh Khan a "traitor" for signing a Bangladeshi player amidst reports of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Som alleged that Khan was supporting a country "working against India" and warned that Rahman would face consequences upon arrival in India. Spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur also opposed Rahman's inclusion, urging the KKR management to drop him.

These remarks drew strong reactions from opposition and Congress leaders, who denounced the BJP's attacks as communal and politically motivated. Congress MP Manickam Tagore described the statements as an "attack on India's pluralism".

Amidst the escalating controversy, the BCCI stepped in and instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman. The franchise confirmed the decision, stating that it was carried out following due process and consultations, as per the regulator's instructions. KKR also added that they would be allowed to sign a replacement player in line with IPL regulations.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some have supported the move, citing national interest and diplomatic sensitivities. However, many, including former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan, have criticized the decision, deeming it unfair to blame Shah Rukh Khan. Wassan argued that KKR was not the only team bidding for the player and that removing one player would not make any significant difference. He also emphasized that politics and sports are intertwined but cautioned against comparing the India-Bangladesh situation with that of India and Pakistan.

Madan Lal, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, has also voiced his concern over the increasing influence of politics in sports. Reacting to the BCCI's decision, Lal questioned, "What is Shah Rukh Khan's fault?".

The controversy has raised concerns about the future of India-Bangladesh cricketing relations. With India scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August 2026 for an ODI and T20I series, and Bangladesh set to participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, the recent developments have cast a shadow on whether these fixtures will proceed as planned.