Mustafizur Rahman row: IPL chief Arun Dhumal breaks silence - 'Govt is supportive of cricket at large'

New Delhi: IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal has described the abrupt release of Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders as “unfortunate,” while insisting that the Indian government does not interfere in the day-to-day administration of the sport.

Mustafizur, purchased for Rs 9.5 crore ahead of the 2026 season, was dropped from the KKR squad after a direct instruction from the BCCI, a move that has triggered sharp debate over external influence in cricket’s most lucrative league.

“I would only say it was unfortunate. Beyond that, I do not have much knowledge,” Dhumal told the Financial Times, breaking his silence on an episode that has now spilled beyond IPL corridors. The fallout intensified when Bangladesh was subsequently replaced by Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup, raising questions about whether political undercurrents are shaping on-field selections.

Addressing those concerns, Dhumal stressed that the government’s role is limited to broad support. “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 stated.

Kolkata Knight Riders, in a formal communique, distanced itself from the decision, clarifying that the franchise merely complied with a regulatory directive. “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season,” the statement read. It added that the release followed “due process and consultations,” and that the BCCI will permit KKR to sign a replacement under existing IPL rules.

Despite the turbulence, Dhumal struck an optimistic note, expressing confidence that cricket’s stakeholders will learn from the incident. “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,” he said.

The Mustafizur affair has reopened a broader conversation about transparency in high-profile tournaments and the boundaries between sporting merit and external directives, leaving fans and administrators alike watching closely for precedents that may shape future player movements.