NEW DELHI: Following the BCCI's directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026, questions have now arisen over whether the board will proceed with India's scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh in September this year or call it off altogether.
However, the schedule was announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday that it will host India for a three-match ODI series and an equal number of T20Is. It is not clear if the BCCI will agree to travel to Bangladesh in prevailing conditions with no stable government in place.
As per a media release issued by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the three-match ODI series is scheduled for September 1, 3 and 6, followed by the T20I fixtures on September 9, 12 and 13.
VIDEO | Guwahati: On the row over the inclusion of Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman in the KKR squad, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia (@lonsaikia) says, “After observing recent developments, BCCI has instructed KKR, the IPL franchise, to release Mustafizur Rahman from their… pic.twitter.com/5f1FDCFW3k
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2026
The Indian team is set to arrive in Bangladesh on August 28 for the limited-overs tour.
India's previous tour of Bangladesh, originally planned for July last year, was postponed indefinitely, with the six-match white-ball series deferred by more than a year.
What led to the BCCI's decision?
Pressure had been mounting on the BCCI over the participation of the Bangladesh cricketer in IPL following the recent killing of a Hindu man in the country and India's expressed concerns over the safety of minorities there.
KKR secured the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for Rs 9.20 crore at last month's players' auction, snapping him up from a base price of Rs 2 crore after a fierce bidding battle with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
The criticism has also spilled over to KKR co-owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, with some politicians from the ruling BJP questioning the decision to include the Bangladesh bowler given the current circumstances.
The BCCI said KKR will be allowed to name a replacement player if required.
"The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for replacement, if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI on Saturday.
Asked why the BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to do so, he replied, "Because of recent developments all across."
