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1983 World Cup-winner comes to KKR owner SRK's defence amidst Mustafizur Rahaman row

Harsh Adwani

Madan Lal defends Shah Rukh Khan [Source: @JoySRKian_2/x.com]Madan Lal defends Shah Rukh Khan [Source: @JoySRKian_2/x.com]

Kolkata Knight Riders decided to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League in compliance with BCCI’s decision. Now former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has come to team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan’s rescue.

Given the recent unrest in Bangladesh, the players from the country now have the same fate as Pakistani players, who have not played in the IPL since 2009. The 1983 World Cup winner has now stated that KKR team owner Shah Rukh Khan should not be dragged into the matter, as BCCI is at the helm of this decision.

"This is the decision of the BCCI and the Central government must have taken this decision, given the atrocities are being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh. There is no fault of Shah Rukh Khan, as they have the team who picks the team," Madan Lal told ANI.

KKR confirmed releasing Fizz on Saturday

Earlier on Saturday, the 3rd of January, KKR had confirmed releasing “Fizz”, as he is commonly known, in a media advisory. Mustafizur was the only player out of seven registered Bangladeshi players to be picked in the auction.

"Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India,” read the statement.

The media advisory also stated that the "BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.”

BCCI faces some criticism for their stance

While the BCCI’s stance on the matter is very clear, many questions have been raised on the situation. The decision was made amidst unrest in the neighbouring country and many believe that stealing a player of an opportunity to perform at a stage as big as the IPL is unfair.

Even Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the BCCI for pulling the plug on Mustafizur. He questioned if the stance would be the same if it were other players like Liton Das or Soumya Sarkar.

"Recalling my views on the subject, now that BCCI has deplorably pulled the plug on Mustafizur Rahman. And what if the Bangladeshi player in question had been Liton Das or Soumya Sarkar? Who are we punishing here: a nation, an individual, his religion? Where will this mindless politicising of sport lead us?” he questioned.

As of now, no replacement has been announced by the team management. However, they will be looking to rope someone in at the earliest to begin their preparations for the upcoming season of the IPL.