Dropping Mustafizur from IPL ‘absolutely appalling’: Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP and Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs chairperson Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for directing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), calling the decision “absolutely appalling” and an unnecessary politicisation of sport.

Speaking in an interview, Tharoor said cricket should not be made a casualty of the “delicate diplomatic and political relationship” between India and Bangladesh, especially at a time when both countries are trying to manage tensions diplomatically, The Indian Express reported.

Tharoor argued that the decision made little sense even from a cricketing standpoint. He pointed out that Mustafizur Rahman was part of the pool of players approved by the BCCI itself and made available to all IPL franchises.

“If the BCCI placed him in the eligible pool, how can KKR be faulted for selecting him?” he questioned.

The BCCI’s move comes amid strained ties between India and Bangladesh following reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which have triggered strong reactions in India.

Tharoor acknowledged that violence against minorities is a serious issue and said India has been trying to use diplomatic channels to encourage calm and ensure a conducive environment ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections.

He noted that India has also maintained engagement with key Bangladeshi political actors, including BNP leader Tarique Rahman, whom many see as a potential future prime minister.

“With such complex and sensitive diplomacy underway, a blanket signal of boycotting Bangladeshi players sends exactly the wrong message,” Tharoor said.

Warning of broader consequences, he questioned how such a decision would affect upcoming international tournaments. Bangladesh is scheduled to play matches in India during the T20 World Cup in February.

“Are we going to ban the entire team? Will the World Cup be disrupted? Could hosting rights be questioned?” he asked, calling the decision “incredibly foolish” and poorly thought out.

Tharoor also raised moral concerns, asking why sports—and cricket in particular—are repeatedly targeted amid social media outrage. He stressed that Mustafizur Rahman has never engaged in hate speech or taken any political position against India or religious minorities.

“He is simply a sportsman. Who exactly are we punishing here?” he said.

He further questioned whether Bangladeshi Hindu cricketers would have faced the same fate had they been selected, warning that selective action could project an image of intolerance.

“This demeans us as a nation, our diplomacy, and our bilateral relationship,” Tharoor said.

Commenting on the postponement of India’s tour of Bangladesh, Tharoor said he did not understand the rationale and urged those responsible to explain their decisions.

He also rejected comparisons between Bangladesh and Pakistan, saying the two situations are fundamentally different.

“Bangladesh is not Pakistan. It has not been sending terrorists across the border. The nature of our relationship is entirely different,” he said.