A CRICKETING freeze with Bangladesh, on lines of India’ policy towards Pakistan, is on cards after the removal of Desh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. The left-arm fast bowler was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 season of IPL. As tensions flared up between the two neighbours over rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) quickly sensed the public mood and asked KKR to release Rahman.

 

A political and diplomatic storm is set to begin after this development and the Indian team might be staring at another Pakistan-like situation on the cricketing field. Rahman’s presence in the KKR had already stirred emotions in India. KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was being targeted by various political and religious leaders as a “traitor”. Keeping in mind the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh and targeted killing of Hindus, the BCCI has done well to step in quickly and diffuse tensions back at home. Rahman’s removal from IPL has sent a clear message to Bangladesh about India’s future trajectory vis-à-vis bilateral relations on all fronts. Relations between the two neighbours are at an all-time low since the interim government led by Mr. Mohammad Yunus changed tack and nurtured anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh. Mr. Yunus’ hatred for India has come out in the open on multiple platforms as his administration has strategically supported radical Islamists within the county. Hindu minorities have been clearly picked out by such elements as barbaric violence is being unleashed on them.

 

The death of three Hindus within a month of violent protests across Bangladesh has not gone unnoticed in India. In such circumstances, keeping distance from Bangladesh in every field is a prudent choice. The decision will have its consequences. The BCCI is aware of it all. It has gone a step ahead and put on hold India’s tour to Bangladesh scheduled later this year. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has naturally reacted with a strong response, even asking the ICC to relocate its matches in next month’s Twenty20 World Cup to Sri Lanka. In all likelihood, the highly impractical request is set to be dismissed by the ICC. Accepting Bangladesh’s request would lead to a logistical nightmare. Moving Bangladesh games would directly affect their opponents in the group.

 

The ICC remains the final authority but circumstances suggest that the matches will remain at Eden Gardens. The other option for Bangladesh is to forfeit its games in India as a mark of a protest which is, again, next to impossible. The fallout of BCCI’s move is set to extend beyond the World Cup. Tensions will linger when Bangladesh play in India next month. The Centre has a task at hand to ensure an incident-free event before embarking on the next diplomatic move.