‘Hindutva hotheads’ decide India’s foreign policy? Journo slams Centre
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New Delhi: Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai strongly came down on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its decision to remove Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the IPL 2026 following strong opposition from Hindutva activists. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had directed the team to release the player, who was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a fee of Rs 9.20 crore through the IPL player auction.
Rajdeep wondered on X, “Who is running a ‘private’ cricket event: BCCI OR GOI? More importantly, who is deciding India’s foreign policy: Hindutva hotheads with no skin in the game or Ministry of External Affairs?”
He continued, “Two days ago @DrSJaishankar did much needed reach out to Dhaka, and now this! Cricket and cricketers as always a SOFT TARGET.”
What next? No shaking hands with Bangladesh players during the World T 20 next month? Will the possible match-up be played in a ‘neutral’ venue? Will shops be asked to stop stocking ‘made in Bangladesh’ clothing? and what of power pacts that private companies like Adani have with Dhaka? And the fact that the former PM Sheikh Hasina has been given refuge in India?” he slammed.
“Foreign Policy ad-hocism with one eye on state elections (Assam/Bengal) in turbulent neighbourhood is injurious to a country’s claim to be a leader of the Global South,” Rajdeep wrote.
So BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from IPL! Who is running a ‘private’ cricket event: BCCI OR GOI? More importantly, who is deciding India’s foreign policy: Hindutva hotheads with no skin in the game or Ministry of External Affairs? Two days ago @DrSJaishankar did…
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 3, 2026
Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after the student and youth protests in Bangladesh turned into anti-India protests. This led to the BJP and Shiv Sena coming out against the Bangladesh player being fielded. The BCCI then intervened and allowed KKR to include a replacement in the team, excluding Mustafizur Rahman.
In fact, despite the strained India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, the BCCI and ICC chief Jay Shah, the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, included Bangladeshi players in the IPL auction. However, the Hindutva groups have all critical of the KKR team owner, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. The Sangh Parivar centres have even branded Shah Rukh as a traitor.