India could be staring at a Pakistan-like situation with Bangladesh, with bilateral cricket now in doubt amid the ongoing political crisis. The uncertainty has put India’s scheduled tour later this year on hold, also raising the prospect of the two sides meeting only at neutral venues in global events.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had issued a media release on Friday, stating that they will host India for three ODIs followed by three T20Is in the first week of September. However, following recent developments across the border, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to put the series on hold and will seek Indian government approval before taking a final call.
The BCCI will communicate to BCB about Indian government decisions in due course. The ongoing political crisis, however, is unlikely to impact Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February.
“We didn’t travel to Bangladesh last year too, BCB had issued their international calendar, but it looks doubtful, as we need Indian government approval to play in any other country. As far as the T20I World Cup is concerned, Bangladesh will play as per the scheduled games in India,” a top BCCI official said.
The decision to put the series on hold comes on the same day as the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was informed by the BCCI to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, ahead of the 2026 season.
KKR had bought the 30-year-old Bangladesh fast bowler for Rs 9.5 crore in the auction ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in December.
Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan also found himself in the eye of the storm, with various political leaders calling for the three-time IPL champions to remove Rahman from their squad.
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Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadrachary had called the 60-year-old actor “anti-national”, adding that he had no character.
“…It is unfortunate (Shah Rukh Khan took Bangladeshi cricketer in KKR for IPL 2026), but he will do so because he is considered a hero. Shah Rukh Khan’s stance has consistently been at odds with the nation. He has no character. His character has always been questionable and anti-national,” Rambhadrachary said.
Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey had also targetted the actor, adding that they would not allow Rahman to play at “any cost”.
“If Shah Rukh Khan plays him and earns money, that money will be used to nurture terrorists there and conspire against our country. We will not allow this to happen at any cost,” he said.
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“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 (IPL) season,” said KKR in a statement that came shortly after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced communicating the instruction with the three-time IPL champions.
“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course,” it added.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier said that the BCCI had told KKR to release Mustafizur “due to recent developments”.
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