IPL 2026: The interim government of Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus has put an immediate ban on the broadcast and telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 across the country.
The decision follows a sporting and diplomatic row that was triggered after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to Bangladeshi star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad.
Mustafizur, a national icon and IPL veteran, was removed after protests in India started owing to the mass killings of Hindus and atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.
What did the IPL 2026 Ban Statement Say?
A statement from the Bangladesh government said the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are banned with immediate effect in Bangladesh.
This may force Bangladeshi fans to revert to illegal streaming options online as the Indian Premier League is widely loved and appreciated by cricket-crazy Bangladeshi fans.
T20 World Cup-Wider Implications
The International Cricket Council has been asked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to relocate its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka from India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board notified the world cricket’s governing body that it would not be sending its team to India for the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026 that would start from February 7. It cited a breakdown in trust regarding player security. This could threaten bilateral series between India and Bangladesh in the foreseeable future.
