Journalist Jyotsna Mohan says institutions meant to protect fairness and integrity in cricket have weakened under political pressure.
She argues that although the BCCI is often described as a private organization, its recent actions suggest it operates under strong government influence.
Power of BCCI Tied to Politics
According to Mohan, the BCCI remains the most powerful cricket board in the world due to its financial strength.
However, she claims that this power is now closely linked to political alignment, with major decisions reflecting political messaging rather than sporting merit.
Controversy Over Mustafizur Rahman’s Release
Mohan pointed to January as a turning point, when Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, the only Bangladeshi player in the IPL.
She alleges that the BCCI instructed the franchise to cancel the player’s contract following public outrage in India over reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Response and ICC T20 World Cup Issue
According to Mohan, Bangladesh later refused to travel to India for the ICC T20 World Cup, citing safety concerns, and requested its matches be held in Sri Lanka, a neutral venue.
She notes that India had previously followed a similar approach during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, when it chose not to travel to Pakistan and played its matches in Dubai.
However, Bangladesh’s request was reportedly rejected.
Questions Over ICC’s Independence
Mohan also questioned the independence of the ICC, stating that it appears closely aligned with BCCI leadership.
She highlighted that ICC chairman Jay Shah is the son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, who has previously made critical remarks about Bangladeshi migrants.
Pakistan Also Drawn Into the Dispute
The journalist noted that Pakistan has now entered the situation as well.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has approved a boycott of the scheduled Pakistan–India match in Colombo on February 15.
Mohan believes cricket has now become a new diplomatic battleground between Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India.
Concerns Over Repeated India-Pakistan Matchups
Mohan questioned why India and Pakistan continue to be paired in major tournaments despite the lack of bilateral series.
She suggested that commercial interests often outweigh political tensions.
Final Thoughts
The journalist’s remarks have reignited debate over whether global cricket governance is being influenced by politics rather than sporting principles, raising serious questions about the future independence of the game.
