Explained: Can KKR recover Rs 9.20 crore spent on Mustafizur Rahman, what does IPL rules say

BCCI directs KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026 squad amid backlash

Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in an odd position due to the BCCI's abrupt order to release Mustafizur Rahman. KKR had acquired the services of the Bangladesh quick after outbidding Chennai Super Kings in a high-stakes battle for Rs 9.20 crore.

A franchise's purse is normally "locked" when a player is acquired, according to conventional IPL auction regulations. But Mustafizur's case is different. The BCCI is requiring the release because of foreign diplomatic and security "developments", not because of a player's injury or withdrawal.

The league's operational standards state that the franchise is usually entitled to a complete restoration of the player's auction price to their available purse when the BCCI formally steps in to remove a player from a team on non-cricketing grounds. Therefore, a credit of Rs 9.20 crore should be returned to KKR's spending pool.

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Mustafizur's condition falls under the category of "force majeure", a contractual provision that releases parties from performing their obligations in the event of an extreme circumstance that is out of their control. Since Mustafizur withdrew from the IPL at the BCCI's request, KKR, as a party in this issue, are not required to fulfill their contractual commitments to him.

However, it is still up for debate how things may turn out if Mustafizur requests payment from KKR or the BCCI.

Because it enables the team to enter the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) or an accelerated replacement draft with its initial financial strength intact, this "refund" is crucial. Without this credit, KKR would essentially be punished for a circumstance in which they had no involvement, making it impossible for them to find a successor of Mustafizur's caliber.

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With BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announcing that the BCCI will permit KKR to look for a replacement, the board has already alluded to this flexibility. However, he made no mention of how or when the money would be recovered.

As they look for a new overseas seamer, KKR will probably have exactly Rs 9.20 crore to work with. However, it will be difficult to find a player of Mustafizur's caliber who specializes bowling in death overs.