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Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been anything but routine. After a week-long suspension due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions, the tournament is set to resume on May 17 with a revised schedule and a flurry of controversies. At the center of the latest storm is the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise, which face a fierce backlash on social media following their decision to sign Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk. The move has sparked the #BoycottDelhiCapitals trend, with fans accusing the franchise of poor judgment and even questioning their patriotism.
Fans erupt in outrage over Mustafizur Rahman’s signing in DC
The announcement of Mustafizur’s signing was intended as a strategic move to shore up DC’s bowling attack after losing the explosive Fraser-McGurk. However, the decision quickly backfired. Many fans, already sensitive to the geopolitical climate and recent cross-border hostilities, took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their anger. The hashtag #BoycottDelhiCapitals surged to the top of trending lists, with users labelling the franchise as a “Deshdrohi team” and demanding a ban on Bangladeshi players in the IPL.
Some social media posts accused the franchise of ignoring the plight of minorities in Bangladesh and referenced broader anti-India sentiments, further fueling the outrage. The backlash was compounded when Mustafizur himself declared he would not join DC, choosing instead to represent Bangladesh in an ODI series against UAE, leaving the franchise in an awkward position. This sequence of events only intensified criticism, with fans questioning both the timing and wisdom of the decision.
DC’s IPL 2025 playoff qualification hangs in balance
Despite the off-field drama, Delhi Capitals remain firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. With 13 points from 11 matches (6 wins, 4 losses, 1 no-result), DC currently sits in fifth place on the points table, needing at least two wins from their remaining three league games to solidify their playoff chances. The team’s early-season momentum has waned, and the loss of a key player like Fraser-McGurk-combined with the failed replacement saga-adds further pressure as the league resumes.
The BCCI’s decision to allow temporary overseas signings for the remainder of the season was meant to help franchises cope with player unavailability due to national commitments and the unique disruptions of this IPL season. However, the DC-Mustafizur episode has highlighted the complexities and sensitivities involved in such moves, especially when geopolitics and cricket collide.
Also READ: Why Delhi Capitals’ new signing Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL 2025 stint is in doubt?
Here’s how fans reacted:
The time has come for Bangladesh to be treated the same as Pakistan. Bangladeshi players should not be allowed in IPL.
Hundreds of Hindus are killed, thousands became homeless—did these players ever speak for them? In fact, most of them silently supported the massacre.
Why… pic.twitter.com/B28cONGVWH— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) May 14, 2025
Shameful move by Delhi Capitals.
While Hindus are being slaughtered in Bangladesh and others stood in solidarity, they signed Mustafizur Rahman.#BoycottDelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/qcW6dleKGD
— Nurjamal Dutta (@DuttaNurjamal) May 15, 2025
Shameless DC, take a stand. Hundreds of Hindus killed in Bangladesh and they want their players. #BoycottDelhiCapitals
— Amar Narayana (@ang121210) May 15, 2025
Now, I wish DC to not qualify for the playoffs. We all collective abuse #SanjivGoenka for being bad boss but at least he didn't by Bangladeshi. As Delhi has built a lot of Bangladeshi fanbase in 10 years , @TheJSWGroup and the GMR Group can enjoy with them #BoycottDelhiCapitals
— Surya (@surya056) May 15, 2025
If delhi would have signed any srilankan or afghani player I would have been more happy but not Bangladesh player never gonna support ab toh pakka delhi doobegi #BoycottDelhiCapitals
— Mhamal shilpa narayan Mhamal (@narayan_mhamal) May 15, 2025
While every other IPL team showed integrity by boycotting Bangladeshi players, Delhi Capitals shamelessly crawled to sign Mustafizur Rahman.
This franchise has ZERO respect for national sentiment. No spine, no pride.#BoycottDelhiCapitals
#AntiNationalSellouts
#ShameOnDC pic.twitter.com/2opv6ipZ0G— Manikandan (@himanikandan) May 15, 2025
Shameful move by Delhi Capitals @DelhiCapitals. While Hindus are being slaughtered in Bangladesh and others stood in solidarity, they signed Mustafizur Rahman.
Time to reject such anti-national mindset & Team #BoycottDelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/CzCQTFOYa6
— Gaurav 🇮🇳 (@IamGMishra) May 14, 2025
Shame on Delhi Capitals!
How can they pick players from a country where anti-India voices are growing and open support for Paxistan exists???#BoycottDelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/LXsx3ViHjr
— NAYRA (@myyynotebook) May 15, 2025
YES Boycott 🔥🔥
Shame on @DelhiCapitals
How can they pick players from a country where anti-India voices are growing and open support for Pakistan exists?
Is the IPL running out of true patriots?
We stand against those who stand against India.#BoycottDelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/DwMfdL8WNe— Kunwar Anubhav Singh (@Anubhav2712) May 15, 2025
Shame on Delhi Capitals ! 😡 Bangladeshi hates Indians & they openly supports Pakistan and did so many things against India, but this shameless franchise signed Mustafizur Rahman a Bangladeshi player in IPL.
DC REMOVE THIS PLAYER #BoycottDelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/vyaz1oOzx4
— Jason (@mahixcavi7) May 14, 2025
Also READ: IPL 2025: Here’s the price at which Mustafizur Rahman replaced Jake Fraser-McGurk in Delhi Capitals