Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dilip Ghosh, who previously served as the West Bengal state president of the party and as a Member of Parliament, has called for a blanket prohibition on the participation of Bangladeshi cricketers in the Indian Premier League, drawing a direct parallel with the long-standing exclusion of Pakistani players from the tournament since 2008 due to persistent geopolitical and security concerns between India and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters in West Medinipur district on January 4, 2026, Ghosh welcomed the recent decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to instruct Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming 2026 IPL season. He described the BCCI’s intervention as a timely and appropriate response to widespread public sentiment, particularly in West Bengal, and expressed appreciation for the cricket board’s willingness to act swiftly on the matter.

Mustafizur Rahman, aged 31, had been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record-breaking sum of Rs 9.20 crore during the IPL player auction held in December 2025, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player ever purchased in the league’s history. However, following sustained pressure from political leaders and sections of the public highlighting the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, the BCCI directed KKR to terminate his contract, leading to his official release from the franchise on January 3, 2026.

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Ghosh linked his demand for a broader ban to the ongoing reports of violence and atrocities being committed against members of the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh. He stated that the current developments across the border are causing deep anguish among the people of West Bengal, described the reported incidents as inhuman, and warned that such actions would inevitably have serious consequences. He further stressed the urgent need for Bangladesh to hold early elections, establish a stable and responsible government, and restore law and order to protect the lives and property of all citizens.

Cricket analysts and former players based in Kolkata have expressed concern that the release of Mustafizur Rahman and the growing political calls for a complete ban on Bangladeshi players could significantly damage the already fragile cricketing relationship between India and Bangladesh. Many fear that the development may lead to reduced bilateral cricket engagements, affect future tour schedules, and create long-term challenges for player exchanges and goodwill series between the two neighbouring countries.

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