Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Keeping politics away from the boundary ropes and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
To say that we were disappointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructing the removal of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from his contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be an understatement.
Indeed, while current political tensions between India and Bangladesh are undeniable and must be acknowledged, that they have taken over cricket — a sport that has long been a bridge between nations and offering a place of neutrality where competition fosters respect and camaraderie — is truly disheartening.
Mustafizur’s exclusion from the IPL and Bangladesh’s subsequent concerns about traveling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup along with the very recent directive to halt IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh all contribute to exacerbating the current situation and ultimately help no one.
Such decisions, albeit rooted in broader political and security considerations, only entangle the sport we love so much in disputes that ought to remain outside the boundary ropes.
It must be remembered that Bangladesh and India, beyond sharing a border, share history, culture, and crucially, a deep love for cricket that is arguably unparalleled. To allow political tensions to dictate the terms of engagement in sport, especially on grounds that do not recognize the reality of the situation, is disappointing.
Cricket and all sports should remain a platform for healthy rivalry, not political posturing that only leaves the average person disillusioned and unhappy. The entirety of South Asia, including India and Bangladesh, stand to gain far more by being on the same page — whether in sport, trade, or diplomacy.