Mustafizur Rahman’s stature as Bangladesh’s most successful bowler in Indian Premier League (IPL) history has come into sharp focus following Shah Rukh Khan-co owned Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to sign him for a record Rs 9.20 crore ahead of IPL 2026. The left-arm pacer, who has taken more IPL wickets than any other Bangladeshi cricketer, now finds himself at the centre of an off-field storm involving the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise.
KKR’s move has triggered online backlash as well as by several groups with India. There are boycott calls from sections of social media amid reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. BJP leader Sangeet Som even called Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor”.
“The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted there. Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan, I’m calling him a traitor because everything he has is given by India, given by the people of India, but where do they invest this money? They invest it in players from a country that is working against India. I want to tell people like Shah Rukh Khan that they will not succeed. At any cost, they will not be able to get Mustafizur Rahman to play here. Rahman won’t be able to step outside the airport,” Som told ANI.
While the franchise has not responded publicly, the pressure has placed renewed attention on the Bangladesh pacer.
Mustafizur’s IPL record and impact
Since making his IPL debut in 2016, Mustafizur has featured in 60 matches, picking up 65 wickets at an economy rate of 8.13. His standout campaign came with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he played a key role in their title-winning season. Over the years, he has represented multiple franchises, underlining his value as a specialist death-over bowler.
Mustafizur’s consistency in the league has made him Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in IPL history, a record that contributed to the aggressive bidding at the auction. His variations, particularly on slower surfaces, continue to make him a sought-after option.
Overall too, the left-arm speedster enjoys a stellar record in the shortest format of the game, with 158 wickets from 126 matches, at an economy of under 8.
KKR signing draws political and social scrutiny
The Rs 9.20 crore outlay, the highest ever for a Bangladeshi player at an IPL auction, has added to the spotlight on KKR and its high-profile ownership group led by Shah Rukh Khan. Critics have linked the signing to developments off the field, even as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained that there was no restriction on Bangladeshi players at the auction.
As preparations for IPL 2026 gather pace, attention will remain on whether the debate subsides and how KKR integrate Mustafizur into their plans. For now, his IPL record ensures he remains a key talking point both for cricketing reasons and beyond.
