They have strongly criticized the BCCI’s decision.
Shashi Tharoor, former Minister of State for External Affairs of India and current Congress MP, has sharply criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for instructing Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. The 1983 World Cup-winning former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has also questioned the board’s decision.
In the 2026 IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired Mustafizur for ₹9.2 crore, the highest among Bangladeshi players in IPL history.
However, recent days have seen various controversies regarding Mustafizur’s participation in the IPL reported by Indian media. On 18 December, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker from Valuka in Mymensingh, was beaten and burned to death following allegations of religious disrespect. In light of this and reports of persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh, certain political groups in India, religious organizations, and a few spiritual leaders had raised questions about Mustafizur’s involvement in the IPL.
BCCI secretary Debasish Saikia stated on Saturday that the board had directed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Mustafizur. He explained that the decision was taken in view of recent incidents. Later, the franchise officially announced the left-arm pacer’s exclusion from the team.
On the previous day, Shashi Tharoor shared a video of his statement with the press and criticized the Indian board on social media platform X.
“I would like to remind everyone of my opinion on this matter now, as the BCCI has, regrettably, decided to drop Mustafizur Rahman. What if the concerned Bangladeshi player had been Litan Das or Soumya Sarkar?”
“Who are we actually punishing here: a nation, an individual, or his religion? Where is this mindless politicization of sports taking us?”
In his statement, Tharoor emphasized that attacks on minorities should not affect cricket.
“Honestly, I do not believe the burden of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh should be carried by cricket. My stance on this is very clear; we should try to separate certain issues from unrelated events.”
“We are communicating with Bangladesh and urging them to take proper steps to ensure the protection and care of their minorities. It is extremely important that the message continues to be conveyed.”
According to Shashi Tharoor, linking Mustafizur to these incidents is completely inappropriate.
“Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has no connection to any of these issues. There are no accusations of him making hateful statements or supporting any attack. He is an athlete, and conflating these two matters is unjust.”
“If we become a country that isolates all its neighbors and says it will not play with anyone, how will that benefit us as a nation? On these matters, we need to have a big heart and a broad mind.”
Speaking to Indian media outlet India Today, Madan Lal said politics should have no place in sports. He believes the BCCI made this decision unilaterally.
“I think the BCCI made this decision because no one can challenge them. Not even Shah Rukh Khan (Bollywood actor and one of the co-owners of Kolkata Knight Riders), because they are under BCCI. So, BCCI took this decision. But I don’t understand why so much politics is entering sports. I have no idea where cricket is heading or where sports are heading.”
“What happened in Bangladesh is extremely unfortunate. But players are being put on trial for it. That is the problem. They are using the players. What is happening is truly tragic. Politics should not be mixed with sports.”
Singer and BJP leader Sangeet Som called Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’ for taking Mustafizur in the team. Madan Lal said it is unfair to blame him since team selection in the auction is not done by Shah Rukh. He believes the decision to drop Mustafizur was taken under pressure from higher authorities.
“Yes, absolutely. They made this decision because of what is happening in Bangladesh. I am speaking directly here. There was definitely pressure from the top. That is why this decision was made. Where is Shah Rukh Khan at fault? There is a committee, and they make the decisions. When they sit for the auction, they select players and everything else.”
