Shah Rukh Khan is facing backlash over KKR signing Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman. The Kolkata Knight Riders bought the fast bowler for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction last month. Critics link it to reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Some have called the actor a traitor for the move.
The controversy started soon after the auction. Religious leaders and BJP figures spoke out first. Spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur questioned why KKR picked a player from Bangladesh when minorities there face attacks.
He urged the team to drop Rahman. BJP leader Sangeet Som went further, labelling Shah Rukh Khan a traitor. Som said Khan has everything from India but invests in players from a country seen as hostile.
Other voices joined in. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya called Khan’s actions anti-national. Some groups protested, blackening posters of the actor in places like Mathura. Threats of disruptions at matches came up too if Rahman plays.
Mustafizur Rahman is a left-arm pacer known for his cutters. He has played in the IPL before, including for other teams. KKR saw him as a strong addition. But the timing drew attention amid strained India-Bangladesh ties.
Congress pushed back on the criticism. Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asked why Bangladeshi players were in the auction pool at all. She pointed to BCCI and ICC chief Jay Shah, son of Home Minister Amit Shah. “Who allowed them in? Jay Shah should answer,” she said. Other Congress leaders called the traitor label an attack on pluralism.
The BCCI stayed neutral. A source told reporters no government directive bans Bangladeshi players. “We haven’t received any communication to stop them,” the source said. Clearance for foreign players is standard, but there is nothing specific here.
Shah Rukh Khan hasn’t commented yet. KKR management also kept quiet. The actor co-owns the team with Juhi Chawla and her husband.
This isn’t new for IPL. Overseas players come from many countries, even rivals like Pakistan in past seasons. But current events in Bangladesh changed the mood. Reports of attacks on minorities fuelled anger.
Some say sports should stay separate from politics. Others argue national sentiment matters. Muslim leaders also weighed in, some asking Khan to condemn violence in Bangladesh.
The debate grew online fast. Hashtags and posts shared views on both sides. Fans defended cricket as a game. Others backed the boycott calls.
Jay Shah, as BCCI secretary and ICC head, faces questions too. Critics say he controls player inclusion. Supporters note auctions follow rules set long ago.
IPL 2026 starts in a few months. Rahman is the only Bangladeshi picked this time. Whether he plays remains open. No official ban yet.
Protests showed strong feelings. In some cities, posters got damaged. Groups warned of more action. This mixes cricket, politics, and celebrity. Khan often faces scrutiny. The team won titles before, with international stars.
For now, the story continues. Keep an eye on if anything changes before the season. Cricket fans hope the focus returns to the game.