Will KKR Get Refund Of Rs 9.20 Crore They Spent On Mustafizur Rahman? What IPL Auction Rules Say
The Kolkata Knight Riders bought Mustafizur Rahman for a price of Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. The franchise is expected to get a full refund, enabling them to buy a replacement without any compromise.
- BCCI directed KKR to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to diplomatic issues
- KKR is entitled to a full refund of Rs 9.20 crore to their purse as per the rules
- Mustafizur's release is considered force majeure, excusing contract fulfillment
The BCCI's sudden directive to release Mustafizur Rahman has left Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a peculiar situation ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Having successfully outbid Chennai Super Kings in a high-stakes battle to secure the Bangladeshi pacer for Rs 9.20 crore, the franchise now faces the prospect of losing their marquee overseas specialist before he has even bowled a single delivery in the new season. Under standard IPL auction rules, a franchise's purse is typically "locked" once a player is purchased. However, the situation with Mustafizur is unique. The release is being mandated by the BCCI due to external diplomatic and security "developments," rather than a player-led withdrawal or injury.
According to the league's operational guidelines, when the BCCI officially intervenes to withdraw a player from a squad for non-cricketing reasons, the franchise is generally entitled to a full restoration of that player's auction price to their available purse. KKR, hence, should receive a credit of Rs 9.20 crore back into their spending pool.
'Force Majeure'
The situation involving Mustafizur is a 'force majeure', which is a contractual clause that excuses individuals/parties from fulfilling their contracts in case of an extraordinary event that is beyond their control. The Knight Riders, being a party in this case, aren't obligated to fulfil their contractual obligations to Mustafizur, as his withdrawal from the IPL came on the BCCI's directive.
How the situation unfolds if Mustafizur demands compensation from KKR or the BCCI, however, remains a complex topic of debate.
This "refund" is critical because it allows the franchise to enter the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) or an accelerated replacement draft with its original financial muscle intact. Without this credit, KKR would be effectively penalised for a situation they had no role in, leaving them with no realistic way to sign a replacement equivalent to Mustafizur's quality.
The Board has already hinted at this flexibility, with Secretary Devajit Saikia confirming that the BCCI will allow KKR to seek a replacement. He, however, didn't specifically mention how and when the funds will be recouped.
In all likelihood, KKR will have exactly Rs 9.20 crore to play with as they scout for a new overseas seamer. Finding a player of Mustafizur's quality as a death overs specialist, however, will be tricky.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Mustafizur Rahman