Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is in a political storm after the franchise signed Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. This controversial decision has been sharply criticized not only by political leaders but also by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) – which has warned that the player’s IPL earnings could potentially be used to finance terrorism.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has warned Shahrukh Khan over signing a Bangladeshi cricketer in his IPL team KKR
The issue arose when KKR picked up Mustafizur Rahman, the only Bangladeshi cricketer selected in the 2026 IPL auction, for Rs 9.2 crore. Although some commentators described the move as a purely sporting decision, it soon became a political controversy, with critics linking the signing to broader concerns about national security and religious sentiments.
On January 1, 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey issued a warning targeting Khan – who is a co-owner of KKR – that if the club allows Mustafizur Rahman to participate, the earnings from the IPL could be used “to fund terrorism”. Dubey suggested that removing the player from the team might bring respect, but alleged that allowing him to play would pose potential risks.
This is not the first political reaction to the contract with KKR. Earlier, BJP leaders and other personalities had protested over Mustafizur’s inclusion, linking it to minority persecution in Bangladesh and broader national sentiments. Some people have also called Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” for supporting foreign players after the murder of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh.
