BCCI, RCB face tough questions over ‘rape-accused’ Yash Dayal as KKR forced to release Mustafizur Rahman

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BCCI, Yash Dayal Mustafizur Rahman Virat Kohli

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been facing intense backlash after ordering the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the IPL 2026 following the political pressure due to repeated violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

IPL and BCCI’s Ethics Storm Intensifies

The upcoming IPL 2026 is embroiled in a pre-season controversy that strikes at the heart of the league’s governance. In one move, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were instructed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

In another, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continue to retain Indian bowler Yash Dayal, who faces rape allegations. The decision to weigh Rahman and Dayal on separate scales has sparked a storm of criticism, and fans are openly accusing the BCCI of double standards.

Read Also: India tour of Bangladesh cancelled? BCCI secretary refuses commitment on the tour after BCB drops the itinerary

The Mustafizur Rahman Decision: A Geopolitical Directive

Amid India’s worsening diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, the BCCI had instructed the franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman. The 30-year-old had become the most expensive Bangladeshi player ever bought in the IPL auction after KKR sealed the deal for a massive INR 9.2 crore.

The three-time IPL champions had acquired the left-arm pacer after a fierce bidding war with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL Auction 2026 in Abu Dhabi last month. But after severe criticism from the fans and political leaders, the BCCI decided to ban the Bangladeshi players in the IPL 2026.

BCCI secretary Devaji Saikia was quoted as saying by ANI, “Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players—Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh—from their squad.”

KKR forced to release Mustafizur Rahman

Following the instructions from the BCCI, the Kolkata Knight Riders have officially removed Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The franchise confirmed the move on January 3. It is being said that the franchise was not ready to release the bowler, but the board forced them to do so, which didn’t sit well with many.

The KKR said in an official statement, “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.”

The Yash Dayal Controversy: Allegations, Law, and BCCI’s Silence

Following the announcement, fans have slammed the BCCI for its double standard as KKR released Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 after the reported killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

Read Also: Mustafizur Rahman publicly shares emotional message as BCCI forces KKR to kick him out of squad

While many hailed the BCCI for their country-first stand, several social media users slammed the board for this move, accusing them of double standards, citing Yash Dayal’s case.

Some are calling this selective politics, while many questioned how the BCCI allowed Dayal in the IPL despite his facing serious legal trouble involving an alleged rape case and a sexual harassment case. Surprisingly, the BCCI has maintained silence on Dayal’s case.

The RCB bowler is yet to receive a clean chit on these cases, and most recently, the Jaipur POCSO Court rejected Dayal’s application for anticipatory bail, meaning he could face arrest at any time for allegedly raping a minor when she was 17 multiple times. Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had granted the RCB bowler interim protection from arrest in the sexual exploitation case.

Here’s how fans slammed BCCI over Yash Dayal and Mustafizur situation: