Cricket Shouldn’t Carry Political Burden: Tharoor on KKR Row

Reacting to criticism over KKR selecting Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, Tharoor told reporters that cricket must be insulated from political and social tensions. He said India should continue to urge Bangladesh to protect its minorities, but that message should not be mixed with sporting decisions.

“Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things. He has not been personally accused of any hate speech or condoning or defending any attacks. Mixing these two things is simply not fair,” Tharoor said.

He also cautioned against isolating neighbouring countries, saying such an approach would not serve India’s interests. Tharoor stressed that the selection of a player was purely a sporting decision and politics should not be dragged into it.

Earlier, Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for targeting the IPL franchise over the selection. He said overseas players participate in the league according to BCCI and IPL rules.

In a post on X, Kharge questioned why BJP leaders were blaming the franchise instead of asking why the BCCI allows Bangladeshi players in the IPL if they oppose such participation.

Kharge also cited past instances, alleging selective nationalism by BJP leaders. He pointed to India playing Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, IPL matches being shifted to Islamic countries during COVID, and IPL auctions being held abroad, saying nationalism was invoked only when it suited political interests.