Shashi Tharoor Defends KKR’s Selection Of Mustafizur Rahman Amid Political Row

The controversy erupted following the IPL 2026 auction in December 2025, where KKR secured Mustafizur Rahman for a record ₹9.20 crore. The move drew sharp criticism from several political and religious figures in India, citing recent violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, including the tragic death of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh.

Tharoor’s “Sporting Decision” Argument

Speaking to reporters on January 2, 2026, the Thiruvananthapuram MP emphasized that blaming an individual athlete for the actions of a foreign government is “simply not fair.”

• Separation of Spheres: Tharoor argued that India must continue to pressure Bangladesh diplomatically to protect its minorities, but this should not spill over into the sporting arena.
• Individual Accountability: He noted that Rahman has not been accused of any personal misconduct or hate speech.
• The “Isolation” Risk: Tharoor warned that isolating neighbors by banning their athletes would not serve India’s interests. “We surround Bangladesh on three sides. We cannot isolate them. We have to play with them,” he stated.

Escalating “Traitor” Rhetoric

The backlash against KKR and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been severe, with some leaders using highly inflammatory language:

• BJP’s Sangeet Som: The former MLA labeled Shah Rukh Khan a “gaddar” (traitor), accusing him of investing Indian money into a country “working against India.” He further threatened that Rahman would not be allowed to “step outside the airport” if he arrived for the IPL.
• Religious Figures: Spiritual leaders like Devkinandan Thakur and Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya also criticized the move, with Thakur suggesting the ₹9.2 crore fee be diverted to the families of Hindu victims in Bangladesh.
• Shiv Sena (UBT): Spokesperson Anand Dubey echoed these sentiments, suggesting that money earned by Bangladeshi players in the IPL could be used to “nurture terrorists.”

The Legal and Financial Bind

Despite the protests, KKR remains in a complex position. Under IPL contractual laws, once a player is signed at an auction and the contract is registered with the BCCI, the franchise is legally obligated to pay the agreed-upon amount as long as the player is available for selection.

Unless the BCCI or the Government of India issues an official ban on Bangladeshi players, KKR would likely face significant legal challenges or financial settlements if they were to unilaterally “drop” Rahman due to political pressure.

Key Figures in the Controversy