Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal finally addressed the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in early January. The move was taken following a directive from the BCCI amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, which escalated after the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman was initially roped in by KKR (AFP)
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Mustafizur was the only Bangladesh player picked at the auction last December. He had been signed by the former champions for ₹9.5 crore, but his release in January triggered widespread backlash against KKR and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan.
“I would only say it was unfortunate. Beyond that, I do not have much knowledge,” Dhumal told the Financial Times.
The IPL chief also stressed that the Indian government does not interfere in the day-to-day functioning of cricket, maintaining only a broader, supportive role in the sport.
“It is unfortunate, I would say, the way things unfold at times. I do not think the government has any interest or any role to play in running cricket day to day. The government is supportive of cricket at large,” he said. “But, yes, sometimes events happen around us and decisions follow. I am sure good sense will prevail and that this will not be the case going forward.”
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Earlier in January, KKR had issued a statement confirming that the player’s release was in accordance with instructions received from the BCCI.
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Earlier in January, KKR had issued a statement confirming that the player’s release was in accordance with instructions received from the BCCI.
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However, the decision did not go down well in Bangladesh. The then government reportedly banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country and barred the national team from travelling to India for the T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, but the request was denied. With both sides holding firm, the ICC eventually replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the World Cup line-up.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/IPL chairman Arun Dhumal on Mustafizur Rahman’s ‘unfortunate’ ouster from KKR: ‘Good sense will prevail’
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