Bangladesh Halts IPL Broadcasts Amid Controversy Over Player Release

Suspension of IPL Broadcasts in Bangladesh

On Monday, the government of Bangladesh announced the suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 broadcasts within the country. This decision came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their team roster. The IPL is set to commence on March 26.

This action follows KKR's announcement regarding the removal of Bangladeshi player Rahman from their IPL 2026 lineup, which was influenced by a directive from the BCCI concerning reported human rights violations against minorities in Bangladesh.

In an official statement, the Press Information Department (PID) conveyed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a letter stating that all IPL matches and related broadcasts will be suspended until further notice.

Concerns Over T20 World Cup Participation

In a related matter, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh commented on the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) formal appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their 2026 Men's T20 World Cup matches from India to other locations due to safety concerns.

Harbhajan emphasized that while India is open to hosting all teams, the final decision rests with Bangladesh regarding their participation on Indian soil. He also highlighted the need for the ICC to address the BCB's request.

The BCB expressed worries about the safety of their players, which has led to their reluctance to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking to media, Harbhajan stated, "Given the recent events, Bangladesh is hesitant to come to India. What transpired in Bangladesh is unfortunate. The ICC must make a decision regarding their request. We are welcoming to all teams, but the choice to come lies with Bangladesh."

KKR's Decision on Mustafizur Rahman

This situation escalated after KKR's announcement regarding the release of Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, which was a direct response to the BCCI's directive about the reported atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the cricket board had instructed the IPL franchise to release the Bangladeshi pacer due to the recent developments.