India’s JioStar has ended its IPL broadcast agreement in Bangladesh, effectively ruling out telecast of the 2026 season in the country despite recent indications of a softer government stance. The development deals a significant blow to cricket fans in Bangladesh, where the league commands a massive following.
The news of the decision comes shortly after Bangladesh authorities signalled a rethink on their earlier ban on IPL broadcasts, imposed amid rising diplomatic and cricketing tensions with India. However, JioStar’s withdrawal now leaves no pathway for the tournament’s return to local screens this season.
“The agreement stands terminated with immediate effect,” a JioStar letter, accessed by Reuters said to Bangladesh broadcaster TSports. The Bangladeshi firm had sublicensed the rights for IPL seasons from 2023 to 2027.
The company further cited its partner’s “continued failure and default in adhering to the payment timelines stipulated under the agreement” as the key reason behind the move.
The decision also covers the Women’s Premier League, with JioStar understood to have pulled out of broadcast arrangements for both competitions in Bangladesh over similar concerns.
WHY WAS BANGLADESH’S IPL DEAL GOT SCRAPPED?
Despite the recent tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly around cricketing ties, the collapse of the IPL broadcast deal appears to have stemmed primarily from commercial issues rather than political ones.
At the centre of the matter lies a dispute between JioStar and its Bangladeshi partner TSports, with the Indian broadcaster citing repeated payment defaults as the key reason behind terminating the agreement.
According to the termination letter, the deal was scrapped due to “continued failure and default in adhering to the payment timelines stipulated under the agreement,” indicating that financial disagreements played a decisive role in the breakdown.
This also means that even though Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry had recently signalled a willingness to review the earlier ban on IPL broadcasts, there is currently no official partner in place to air the tournament.
The timing adds another layer to the situation. Bangladesh had only just hinted at a possible policy shift, with officials stating that any further decision would depend on consultations with the sports ministry. However, JioStar’s exit effectively renders that reconsideration irrelevant for the ongoing season.
The IPL, valued at $18.5 billion and widely regarded as the world’s richest cricket league, enjoys immense popularity in Bangladesh. As a result, the absence of a local telecast is expected to significantly impact viewership and fan engagement in the country.
INDIA vs BANGLADESH FEUD: EXPLAINED
The broader backdrop to this situation lies in the strained cricketing and diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh over the past year.
The initial broadcast ban earlier in 2026 was triggered by controversy surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahmanwho had been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 9.20 crore. The franchise eventually released him following directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The decision came at a sensitive time, coinciding with political tensions following incidents involving minority communities in Bangladesh. The move was widely perceived within Bangladesh as more than just a cricketing call, adding a political layer to the dispute.
Relations between the two cricketing boards deteriorated further, culminating in Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026. The decision drew criticism across cricketing circles, with many arguing that it hurt Bangladesh cricket competitively.
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