Kolkata Knight Riders' signing of Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman for the 2026 IPL season has sparked political controversy. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kaustav Bagchi and some religious groups have opposed the move, citing strained India-Bangladesh relations and alleged violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Bagchi warned against allowing Bangladeshi cricketers to play in Kolkata and made strong remarks against KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. Rahman was bought for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction.