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Atul Wassan Defends BCCI on Mustafizur IPL Ban, Says Shah Rukh Khan Unfairly Targeted

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has endorsed the BCCI's decision to instruct Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad. He criticized the premature uproar over the issue and defended KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, noting multiple franchises had bid for the player. Wassan stated public sentiment now justifies the board's move, linking it to the broader political situation with Bangladesh. He urged stakeholders to show maturity, emphasizing there is still time before the IPL season begins.

Key Points: Wassan Backs BCCI on Mustafizur IPL Release, Defends Shah Rukh Khan

  • BCCI directive on Mustafizur justified
  • Shah Rukh Khan unfairly targeted
  • Public sentiment supports decision
  • Multiple franchises bid for player
2 min read

IPL 2026: Atul Wassan backs BCCI on Mustafizur issue, says Shah Rukh Khan wrongly targeted

Former cricketer Atul Wassan supports BCCI's directive for KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman, calls criticism of Shah Rukh Khan unfair. Read more.

"Targeting Shah Rukh Khan was wrong because, apart from KKR, four other franchises bid for the player. - Atul Wassan"

New Delhi, Jan 3

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India for its directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League squad, calling the decision correct and saying actor Shah Rukh Khan was unfairly targeted in the controversy.

Speaking to IANS, Wassan said the uproar surrounding the issue was premature and felt like a knee-jerk reaction, adding that such matters need time before being judged.

"Look, I feel that a completely correct decision has come from the BCCI. The uproar created over the last few days was premature and suddenly became a massive issue. I believe everything should be given time," Wassan told IANS.

The former India pacer criticised people for targeting KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, pointing out that several franchises had bid for Mustafizur at the IPL mini-auction held last December.

"Targeting Shah Rukh Khan was wrong because, apart from KKR, four other franchises bid for the player. They just did not get him. At that time, there was no BCCI directive to not pick him, and the situation with Bangladesh had not deteriorated this much," he said.

Wassan added that public sentiment has since made the board's decision appear justified and said that India should not support Bangladesh cricket as long as the situation there remains adverse.

"For an issue to suddenly become this huge, one should have shown patience. It felt like a knee-jerk reaction earlier. Now it seems justified, given the public sentiment. We will not support Bangladesh as long as the situation remains against us," he said.

He also urged stakeholders to approach the issue with maturity, noting that there is still time before the IPL begins.

The remarks come after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, a directive the franchise subsequently followed.

"Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI or IPL, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course," the franchise said in a statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I feel bad for Mustafizur as a player, but the timing is everything. The public sentiment is very clear on this. Targeting SRK was totally unfair—he's just a team owner following the rules. The real issue is bigger than IPL.
R
Rohit P
Mixed feelings. On one hand, it's just sport. On the other, you can't ignore the diplomatic tension. BCCI probably had no choice. Hope KKR gets a good replacement. The show must go on! 💪
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I have to disagree with Wassan's final point about not supporting Bangladesh cricket "as long as the situation remains against us." This feels like collective punishment of athletes for government actions. Sports should ideally be a bridge.
S
Shreya B
Exactly! So many people were quick to blame Shah Rukh Khan without knowing the full story. Other teams bid too! The BCCI directive came later. Public sentiment is strong, and the board had to listen. It's a tough but necessary call.
K
Karthik V
As a KKR fan, it's a setback. Fizz was a key death bowler. But country comes first, always. BCCI did the right thing. Now let's focus on who the replacement will be! 😄 #KKR #IPL2026

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