- By Himanshu Badola
- Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Bangladesh government has decided to suspend the telecast and streaming of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country for an indefinite period on Monday, following the ongoing controversy that erupted after Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026.
The BCCI was quick to react after political and public reactions intensified following the rise in the killings of Hindus. KKR followed the board's instructions, and they will now be without their star pacer, who was bought by the franchise for a big amount of Rs 9.20 crore in the mini auction last month.
The latest development comes amidst the ongoing escalation of political tensions between the two countries. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that there was no 'rational reason' behind the BCCI’s call to release Mustafizur from the IPL 2026. It said the decision had ‘pained, saddened, and aggrieved’ the people of Bangladesh, and the ban on IPL broadcast was in ‘public interest’.
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"In view of the subject, it is being informed that a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come to light regarding the exclusion of Bangladeshi star player Mr Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, scheduled to be held from 26 March 2026. No rational reason for such a decision by the Indian Cricket Board is known, and such a decision has pained, saddened, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh," the official statement said.
"Under these circumstances, until further notice, a request is made as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programmes of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This order is issued with the approval of the proper authority and in the public interest."
There wasn't any mention of the reason for releasing Rahman by the BCCI, only saying it was related to the current situation in the country. It was assumed to be about the rising anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India as the KKR and franchise's co-owner Shah Rukh Khan faced heavy backlash.
The recent controversy has put the smooth conduction of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 under huge threat, with Bangladesh even writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC), asking it to shift its matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup to Sri Lanka from India.