Atul Wassan Defends Shah Rukh Khan Amid KKR–Mustafizur Rahman Row
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has spoken out against criticism directed at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan following the franchise’s decision to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
Wassan said holding Khan responsible for the move is unfair and removing a single player does not create any meaningful impact.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India recently instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.
The decision followed public and political backlash over the player’s inclusion, especially in the context of recent violence and unrest involving Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
“Removing One Player Changes Nothing,” Says Wassan
Wassan said the controversy was a predictable outcome of the ongoing instability in Bangladesh but questioned the logic of placing blame on Shah Rukh Khan.
He pointed out that Khan is not the sole owner of KKR and that multiple franchises had shown interest in Mustafizur during the auction process.
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According to Wassan, removing a single overseas player does not amount to justice or retaliation. He argued that emotional reactions should give way to more thoughtful decision-making, especially in matters involving international players and diplomacy.
He also noted that shifting the entire burden of the decision onto KKR or Khan created an unnecessary narrative that distorted the larger issue.
Sports and Politics Are Interlinked, Wassan Says
While many argue that sports and politics should remain separate, Wassan said the two are often closely connected.
He stressed, however, that the situation involving Bangladesh should not be compared with India’s long-standing tensions with Pakistan.
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Wassan said Bangladesh is currently undergoing political and social upheaval and that the situation could improve with time. He urged patience and said the Indian government understands the complexities involved in dealing with a neighbouring country in transition.
According to him, reacting impulsively could complicate matters rather than resolve them.
KKR Confirms Player’s Release
Following the directive from the cricket board, Kolkata Knight Riders officially confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman had been released from the squad.
The franchise did not elaborate on the reasons behind the move but said it was complying with instructions from the governing body.
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The development brought an end to speculation surrounding the player’s future with the franchise but intensified political reactions.
BJP Leader Welcomes Decision, Targets Shah Rukh Khan
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sangeet Singh Som welcomed the decision to release the Bangladesh cricketer.
He described the move as a victory for Hindu sentiments and claimed the issue reflected the emotions of a large section of society.
Som also targeted Shah Rukh Khan, saying the actor should not act against “Sanatanis” while living in India. He claimed Khan owed his success to the support of Hindu audiences and said the decision showed he had understood public sentiment.
Debate Highlights Broader Tensions
The episode has sparked a wider debate on the intersection of sports, politics, and public sentiment in India.
While the cricket board’s decision has found political support, voices like Wassan’s have called for restraint and a more mature approach.
As regional tensions continue to influence sporting decisions, the incident underscores how off-field developments increasingly shape the game beyond the boundary lines.
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