New Delhi, March 17: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized Sunrisers Leeds for signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed during the 2026 auction of ‘The Hundred’. He emphasized that given the sensitive political relations between India and Pakistan, Indian franchise owners should avoid including Pakistani players in their teams.
Gavaskar raised the question of whether success in sports should outweigh national concerns. He argued that Indian-owned entities must be aware of the broader implications of such decisions, as the money earned by Abrar could potentially be used against India.
In his column for ‘Mid-Day’, Gavaskar stated, “The uproar over a Pakistani player being bought by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred is not surprising. Since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have completely ignored Pakistani players in the IPL.”
He suggested that the issue extends beyond cricketing talent. According to the former Indian captain, the financial transactions involved—ranging from player fees to taxes paid to the government—create a moral dilemma for Indian owners when dealing with Pakistani players.
Gavaskar wrote, “Even if this realization has come late, it is becoming clear that the fees paid to Pakistani players contribute to their government, which uses that money to purchase weapons. Thus, this money indirectly contributes to the loss of lives of Indian soldiers and civilians. This is why Indian organizations are now hesitant to consider Pakistani artists and players for their teams.”
He further stated, “Whether the paying entity is based in India or a foreign subsidiary, if the owner is Indian, they are contributing to the loss of Indian lives. It’s as straightforward as that.”
The former opener also noted that while team management may view player signings purely from a cricketing perspective, franchise owners should consider the broader implications for the country before making such decisions.
Gavaskar mentioned, “Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team from New Zealand, may not grasp this straightforward issue, which is why he might want to include some Pakistani players. However, the franchise owner should have fully understood this situation and refrained from acquiring Pakistani players. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays more important than the lives of Indian people?”
During the auction held in London on Thursday, Sunrisers Leeds acquired Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.34 crore). The franchise is owned by the Sun Group, led by businessman Kalanidhi Maran. His daughter, Kavya Maran, represented the team alongside head coach Daniel Vettori during the auction. Since acquiring Abrar, the Sunrisers team has faced significant backlash in India.
Gavaskar warned the franchise that this acquisition could have repercussions in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with fans potentially boycotting matches or protesting. He stated, “It would not be surprising if the team faces heavy protests from Indian fans, whether playing at home or away. They will oppose this unbelievable acquisition.”
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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