In a major retaliatory move, the Bangladesh government has officially banned the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 across the country. The decision, announced on January 5, 2026, serves as a direct protest against the BCCI’s instruction to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release star pacer Mustafizur Rahman without providing a “logical reason.”

This broadcasting ban follows a series of rapidly escalating tensions between the two nations, which have now spilled over from diplomacy into the world of international cricket.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, issued a notification stating that the treatment of Rahman has “saddened, hurt, and aggrieved” the nation.

Mustafizur, the only Bangladeshi player picked in the 2026 auction (for Rs 9.20 crore), was unceremoniously dropped after BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia cited “developments all around” as the primary reason for his release. In response, Bangladesh has suspended all IPL-related telecasts and promotions until further notice.

The broadcasting ban comes just 24 hours after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced it would not send the national team to India for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026.

The BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all four of its league matches—originally set for Kolkata and Mumbai—to co-host Sri Lanka. The board cited grave safety and security concerns for its contingent, mirroring the hybrid model currently used for Pakistan’s matches in India.

Relations between the two neighbors have deteriorated significantly since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

• Political Fallout: Hasina remains in India after fleeing anti-government protests and was recently sentenced to death in absentia by a Dhaka tribunal.
• Communal Tensions: Reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh have triggered protests from Hindu nationalist groups in India, further complicating the sporting landscape.

As the IPL is set to commence on March 26, the absence of one of its largest international viewership markets marks a significant financial and cultural shift for the league.

Key Highlights:

• IPL Broadcast Ban: Bangladesh has indefinitely suspended the telecast of the 2026 IPL season to protest Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from KKR.
• T20 World Cup Boycott: The BCB has refused to travel to India for next month’s World Cup, citing security fears for its players and staff.
• Venue Shift Request: Bangladesh has urged the ICC to move its scheduled matches in Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka.
• Diplomatic Crisis: The sporting standoff is rooted in the political instability following the 2024 change of government in Dhaka and subsequent communal tensions.