Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is set to register for the IPL 2027 mini-auction, according to a report by India Today, marking a potential return to the Indian Premier League after his controversial release by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 season.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that six other Bangladeshi cricketers are also entering the auction process, signalling renewed interest in the IPL despite the dispute that disrupted Bangladesh’s participation in international cricket earlier this year.
Seven Bangladesh players enter IPL 2027 auction process
Mustafizur has expressed his interest in securing an IPL contract for 2027, with the BCB facilitating his registration alongside other eligible players.
A BCB source told India Today: “It is a regular procedure for the IPL mini-auction. The BCCI has reached out to every cricket board and asked them to register the names of players who are interested in participating. Mustafizur is registering for the mini-auction.”
The development follows communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to national cricket boards requesting the names of players interested in participating in the auction.
Bangladesh’s prospective contingent includes fast bowlers Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and batter Towhid Hridoy.
The BCB source added: “Yes, Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have also registered.”
Their inclusion in the auction process does not guarantee franchise contracts, with teams retaining discretion over which players they bid for.
Mustafizur’s ₹9.2 crore KKR deal ended before IPL 2026
Mustafizur’s return to the auction pool comes after a significant setback in his IPL career.
KKR had secured the left-arm pacer for ₹9.2 crore (approx. USD 979K) at the IPL 2026 auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in the competition’s history.
However, the BCCI subsequently directed the franchise to release him, referring to developments surrounding India-Bangladesh relations. KKR complied with the instruction and was permitted to recruit a replacement.
As previously reported by cricexec, the decision followed mounting public and political pressure in India over reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Mustafizur’s selection had drawn criticism from political groups and triggered calls for action against KKR, including its Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan.
The controversy also generated disagreement over whether political tensions should determine the participation of individual cricketers in franchise competitions. Mustafizur, who had been the only Bangladesh player selected at the IPL 2026 auction, ultimately missed the season.
IPL dispute escalated into T20 World Cup fallout
The consequences extended beyond the IPL when the BCB raised security concerns about sending its national team to India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh sought to have its matches moved to Sri Lanka, which was co-hosting the tournament with India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request after determining that its security assessment had not identified a credible or verifiable threat to the Bangladesh team in India.
Bangladesh did not participate in the tournament and was replaced by Scotland, as reported previously by cricexec.
The dispute created further uncertainty around cricketing relations between the BCCI and BCB, making the latest IPL auction registrations a notable development. However, the registration process alone does not establish that the broader issues between the two boards have been resolved.
BCB remains hopeful over India’s postponed Bangladesh tour
Alongside the IPL developments, the BCB is awaiting confirmation of India’s proposed bilateral tour of Bangladesh.
The series, originally scheduled for August 2025, was postponed and is now expected to take place in January 2027, although the revised dates have not been officially confirmed.
The proposed itinerary consists of three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals.
The BCB source stated: “At the moment, they are still hopeful. It was rescheduled with the consent of both boards. So, as of now, that’s all the information we have. Hopefully, let’s see how things unfold.”
India last visited Bangladesh for a bilateral series in December 2022, when the hosts won the ODI series 2-1 before India claimed a 2-0 victory in the Tests.
For Mustafizur and the six other Bangladesh players, the immediate focus is now on the IPL 2027 mini-auction, where their availability for selection offers another opportunity to secure franchise contracts after a turbulent year for cricketing relations between the two countries.
