DHAKA: Marking a fresh escalation in tensions between Bangladesh and India, Bangladeshi authorities have ordered an indefinite ban on the telecast, promotion and coverage of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian media reported on Monday.
According to reports, all IPL-related broadcasts, promotional content and event coverage have been suspended with immediate effect. The decision, taken in the public interest, was approved by the relevant authorities.
The move comes in the wake of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after being directed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The decision sparked strong reactions in Bangladesh and further strained relations already under pressure due to recent incidents.
Tensions between the two countries have intensified following protests near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was killed in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. Separately, protests were also held in Bangladesh over the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with police saying suspects fled to India via the Haluaghat border.
In its order cited by Indian media, the Bangladeshi government said there was “no logical or rational reason” for the Indian cricket board’s decision regarding Mustafizur, adding that it had “distressed, shocked and angered” the people of Bangladesh. The order directed broadcasters to halt all IPL-related programming until further notice.
The decision adds to Dhaka’s earlier move to opt out of travelling to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 over concerns about the “overall circumstances” in the neighbouring country. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally requested the ICC to shift all of Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns for its players and officials.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are currently slated to play four group matches in India, while Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under a previously agreed neutral-venue arrangement.
Political relations between India and Bangladesh have remained strained since a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 that led to the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was widely seen as close to New Delhi.
