New Delhi: Following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released Bangladesh left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. This decision raises an important question: will KKR pay Rahman the amount for which he was bought in the auction? Here is what the rules say.

When a player is purchased in the IPL auction, the franchise’s purse is locked with the amount paid for that player. However, Mustafizur Rahman’s case is unique and sensitive. He was released not due to injury or personal reasons but because of deteriorating political and security conditions between India and Bangladesh.

According to IPL regulations, if BCCI directs a franchise to release a player for reasons other than cricket, the franchise gets a full refund of the amount spent on that player. This situation is classified under ‘force majeure,’ which refers to extraordinary circumstances beyond anyone’s control. In such cases, the franchise is not obligated to fulfil the player’s contract. Consequently, after KKR released Mustafizur, he will not receive any payment from the franchise.

The IPL 2026 auction was conducted on December 16, during which KKR purchased Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore.

In recent days, political unrest in Bangladesh has led to increased violence against Hindus, resulting in several casualties. Public incidents of lynching and violence against Hindus have been strongly condemned by religious and social organisations in India. These groups have opposed the participation of any Bangladeshi player in the IPL and have launched widespread campaigns demanding a ban.

Considering the growing demand not to include Bangladeshi players in the IPL, BCCI instructed KKR on January 3 to release Mustafizur Rahman. KKR complied with the directive within hours.