The BCCI has dismissed the escalating diplomatic row with Bangladesh as having “no real consequences,” even as the neighboring country imposed a blackout on the IPL 2026 and formally requested the ICC to relocate its upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches to Sri Lanka.
BCCI’s “Business as Usual” Stance on Bangladesh’s Shocking Move
A former BCCI official has played down the impact of the Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision, calling the reaction a natural outcome of recent developments. He also insisted that neither India nor the IPL 2026 will face any real consequences.
Read Also: Mustafizur Rahman’s condition really bad amid IPL exit, India-Bangladesh row? Big revelation emerges
Your daily dose of cricket!
The recent event now threatens to strain cricket ties between India and Bangladesh and presents a fresh challenge for the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the scheduling of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to get underway on February 7.
The former BCCI official was quoted as saying by ANI, “For every action, there is a reaction. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is merely doing what it believes is within its authority. ‘Takleef hui hai’ (they must have hurt), so obviously there will be a reaction.”
The Trigger: Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Ouster
The shocking release of Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad just before the IPL 2026 season sparked the controversy. The Indian cricket board had ordered the KKR to release Mustafizur from the IPL 2026 squad due to the political pressure, given the current situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
After violent incidents and the killing of members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, the Indian fans and politicians demanded a ban on Bangladeshi players in the IPL 2026, forcing the BCCI and KKR to take the harsh step, which is now seen as disrespectful by the BCB and government.
Bangladesh’s Two-Pronged Response
- IPL Broadcast Suspension: The Bangladesh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered all domestic broadcasters to suspend the telecast of IPL 2026 matches indefinitely.
The ministry said in an official statement, “It is hereby informed that a directive issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come to notice, whereby Bangladesh’s star cricketer Mr. Mustafizur Rahman has been excluded from the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament scheduled to commence on March 26, 2026.”
The order further reads, “No reasonable justification for such a decision by the BCCI is known, and this decision has caused pain, distress, and anger among the people of Bangladesh. As a result, the government said it was compelled to act. Under these circumstances, until further instructions are issued, it is hereby ordered that the broadcast/telecast of all Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and related programs be suspended.”
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Venue Change Request: Following an emergency meeting, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) submitted a formal request to the ICC.
The BCB asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. However, the BCCI and governing body are yet to react to the BCB’s demand.
