The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to ban Bangladeshi cricketers from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Many IPL teams also own franchises in overseas leagues and could follow the same approach with Bangladeshi players as they have with Pakistani cricketers.

Kolkata Knight Riders have been asked to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season following a directive from the BCCI. KKR signed the Bangladesh bowler for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi. The three-time champions will have to sign a replacement before the season begins.

BCCI Orders Mustafizur Rahman’s Release Amid Political and Security Concerns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India stepped in after growing unrest in Bangladesh and strong reactions from several voices in India. Many public figures criticized Shah Rukh Khan and demanded that Mustafizur Rahman should not take part in the IPL.

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Political leaders in West Bengal also raised objections. They warned of serious consequences if Mustafizur played matches at Eden Gardens during the season.

With the situation in Bangladesh still tense and diplomatic relations under strain, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that Kolkata Knight Riders were asked to release Mustafizur from their squad immediately. He also confirmed that the BCCI will allow KKR to sign a replacement player.

At the IPL 2026 auction, seven Bangladeshi players were part of the list. However, only Mustafizur attracted interest from franchises. The others went unsold, but Mustafizur was picked because of his record as a death-overs bowler.

BCCI Holds Final Authority on IPL Decisions, Franchises Bound by League Rules

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the decision could not have been taken by a franchise on its own and only the Board of Control for Cricket in India has the authority to make such calls.

Franchises and players operate under strict contracts and league rules, which do not allow teams to act independently or make arbitrary decisions outside the IPL framework.

A senior IPL hand said, “It had to be the BCCI call and the franchise could not have taken an arbitrary decision. The franchises and players are bound by certain contracts from which they cannot overstep. The IPL rules prevent any kind of arbitrariness.”

Bangladesh Players Face Possible Exclusion From IPL and India-Owned Franchises

The report added that Bangladeshi players could be unavailable for India-linked franchises, a situation similar to what Pakistani players have faced since 2008. This restriction is not limited to the Indian Premier League alone.

Many IPL franchises also own teams in overseas leagues and have consistently avoided signing Pakistani players there as well. The same approach could likely apply to Bangladeshi cricketers, who may see fewer opportunities with India-owned teams across different leagues going forward.

“The ‘recent developments’, however, have placed Bangladesh players largely off-limits, much like Pakistan players have been since 2008. Not just in the IPL, the franchises, many of which also own teams in overseas leagues, have been steadfastly avoiding hiring Pakistan players. The same fate may also befall Bangladesh players, who represent some India-owned teams sporadically in different leagues,” the report read.

Also read: BCCI officially orders KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman before IPL 2026 amid India-Bangladesh tensions

NEW DELHI: After pushing organisation cohesion and laying out BJP’s agenda in West Bengal, home minister Amit Shah will be in another poll-bound state Tamil Nadu for two days from Sunday to give shape to the party’s strategy, where it is a junior partner to AIADMK, but will have to play a key role in guiding the alliance that faces a host of knotty issues.Shah’s schedule includes attending the closing ceremony of a state-wide yatra in Pudukkottai – which was led by BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran and has championed Tamil pride to counter the governing DMK-led alliance’s projection of the party as an organisation arraigned against the state’s values; presiding over a meeting of key BJP leaders and attending Pongal celebration.Sources said key BJP allies, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, may also meet Shah.His visit to the southern state is expected to push efforts for NDA’s expansion, which has hit roadblocks. While PMK, a BJP ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls when AIADMK had fought separately, has split into two factions, one led by its founder S Ramadoss and the other by his son Anbumani Ramadoss, another prospective ally DMDK, founded by actor Vijayakant and now headed by his widow Premallatha Vijayakant, is yet to finalise its stand.That BJP and Palaniswami, known as EPS, do not see eye to eye on the course the alliance must take to put up a strong contest against the DMK-Congress-Left alliance amid emergence of popular actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has succeeded in draw a few regional satraps, especially from AIADMK, to its fold.While BJP is believed to be a votary of former AIADMK functionaries like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, who either quit or were expelled from the party due to their differences with EPS, returning to their parent party to project a picture of organisational unity and revival, EPS remains wary of welcoming them back, apprehending that they may challenge his grip over AIADMK.Union minister Piyush Goyal was in Tamil Nadu recently after being appointed as BJP’s election in-charge of the state and met EPS, NDA functionaries from the state are of the view that it will require Shah to step in and reach out to current and prospective allies to expand NDA. With his proven political skills and electoral track record, Shah has the authority and mojo to get them around to joining ranks for defeating DMK, which someone like EPS may lack despite AIADMK being the senior partner as his party has struggled to challenge CM M K Stalin.BJP brass will also need to bring its own house in order as its former president Annamalai, popular among the core BJP supporters, has been lying low and, at times, skipped key meetings.

Steve Smith has moved swiftly to shut down talk of an imminent retirement, insisting he remains fully invested in Test cricket ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting January 4. Australia’s stand-in captain acknowledged that recent years have not quite matched the extraordinary standards he set earlier in his career, but stressed that speculation around his future is premature. Smith’s peak years saw him dominate red-ball cricket, averaging over 70 across multiple seasons between 2014 and 2019. While his numbers since then remain strong — averaging above 50 in 2021, 2022 and 2025 — the absence of sustained, match-defining spells has prompted outside chatter about his longevity. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Sydney, Smith made it clear that he has no fixed timeline in mind and is focused only on the present.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing at the end of this week. I’ve said it for a while. I’m taking it day by day, series by series. We’ll see where things land,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m doing all right at the moment. I’m enjoying it. I’m contributing and having fun. There’s no real end date for me, I suppose. I’m still playing. I’m enjoying it.” Smith also reflected on Australia’s recent success in Test cricket, pointing to the collective strength of the side rather than reliance on individual brilliance. Australia have reached two World Test Championship finals in the last few years, a run Smith believes highlights the depth and balance within the squad. “I think we’ve got a really good team,” he said. “The team we’ve had over the last three or four years, obviously making two World Test Championship finals, different people have stood up at different times. It’s never been one or two people just getting the job done. It’s been shared across.” As one of the senior figures in the dressing room, Smith sees his role evolving beyond just runs. “As an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of Test cricket. I guess that’s my role now,” he added. For now, Smith’s focus remains firmly on the SCG and the task at hand, with retirement a conversation he is in no rush to have.

INDORE: Angry residents of Bhagirathpura area, where 10 deaths have been reported because of contaminated drinking water – although MP govt has confirmed a toll of five so far – want those guilty of negligence to be held to account.Hours after reports of deaths and hospitalisations surfaced on December 29, Indore municipal corporation (IMC) officials found a toilet connected to Bhagirathpura police outpost was constructed without a proper septic tank. The waste line reportedly opened into a pit located directly above the pipeline for drinking water, allowing the contaminated water to enter the drinking water supply network in the area.“So many people lost their lives because there was negligence while constructing a police toilet? This is shocking. A case should be registered and someone should be held accountable,” said Ashok Pathi, a local.Residents demanded that a case of culpable homicide be registered against the contractor who constructed the toilet. However, officials said locating the original builder might be difficult. “A lot of the families are living in fear because what we trusted as safe drinking water turned fatal for so many. Someone’s negligence cost lives, and people responsible must be punished,” said Ramesh Verma, a resident.Authorities are now examining how the construction work was allowed without safeguards, and whether oversight lapses occurred. Lab findings are awaited, while residents continue to demand accountability and long-term measures to secure the drinking water system.“We are apprehensive every time we turn on the tap. Authorities should ensure this never happens again, and those at fault should not be allowed to walk away,” said Meena Jain, another local.Indore police collected soil samples from the suspected contamination site as part of the investigation. DCP Rajesh Vyas said, “Soil and water samples were collected for examination. Strict action will be taken against those responsible.”