Broadcasting of IPL matches suspended in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government has indefinitely suspended the telecast and streaming of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country, citing the exclusion of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the 2026 season.

The decision, announced on January 4-5, 2026, by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, follows escalating diplomatic tensions. 

The directive states that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman—purchased for ₹9.20 crore in the December 2025 auction—with no clear justification provided. 

This move has been described as distressing and angering the Bangladeshi public, prompting the broadcast halt "until further notice" in the public interest.

The controversy intensified after reports of pressure on the BCCI amid concerns over the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following political changes in 2025. 

Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player retained in the IPL for 2026, and his release on January 3, 2026, drew sharp criticism from Bangladeshi officials, including Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, who condemned it as an insult to Bangladeshi cricket.

Bangladeshi cricket fans have expressed outrage over the perceived unsportsmanlike decision. 

The ban affects all IPL games and related events starting from March 26, 2026, impacting official broadcasters and streaming platforms in Bangladesh.

This development highlights how geopolitical strains have spilled into sports, with further repercussions including calls for relocating Bangladesh's matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup away from India.