Mustafizur Rahman to Enter IPL 2027 Mini-Auction, Confirms BCB

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is set to register for the upcoming IPL 2027 mini-auction, as confirmed by a source within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on November 11. The left-arm pacer is eager to secure a contract after his release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) prior to the previous season, a decision that sparked significant controversy.

The BCB has begun the registration process for the auction following Mustafizur's request to participate. "It is a regular procedure for the IPL mini-auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has contacted every cricket board, asking them to compile the names of players interested in participating. Mustafizur is registering for the mini-auction," the BCB source told India Today.

Alongside Mustafizur, several other Bangladeshi players are also expected to register, including Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam. The source confirmed, "Yes, Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have also registered."

The decision by KKR to release Mustafizur was influential, causing broader implications between the BCB and the BCCI. Mustafizur had initially been signed for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, making him the highest-paid Bangladeshi player in IPL history. However, the BCCI mandated KKR to release him, citing "recent developments" as the reasoning behind this instruction. KKR subsequently confirmed it had complied with the directive and was permitted to sign a replacement player.

This situation has also led to tensions concerning Bangladesh's participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which was to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Following Mustafizur's release, the BCB expressed security concerns and declined to send its team to India, requesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) relocate their matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC subsequently rejected this request, stating their assessment found no credible security threats to the Bangladeshi team in India. Consequently, Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament.

Despite the recent complications, the BCB remains optimistic that India’s postponed tour of Bangladesh will progress. Initially scheduled for August 2025, the series has been rescheduled to January 2027, although the final schedule is yet to be confirmed officially. This upcoming tour will include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

A BCB source indicated, "At the moment, they are still hopeful. It was rescheduled with the consent of both boards. So, as of now, that’s all the information we have. Hopefully, let’s see how things unfold."

India's last visit to Bangladesh occurred in December 2022, during which they played a three-match ODI series and a two-Test series. Bangladesh won the ODI series 2-1, while India triumphed in the Tests, winning 2-0. The forthcoming 2027 tour will mark India's first bilateral visit to Bangladesh in over four years.