Former India cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized Sunrisers Leeds for signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred 2026 auction. Gavaskar stated that the £190,000 fee paid to Ahmed indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, labeling the transaction "blood money." The signing on March 12, 2026, sparked significant backlash across social media.
Gavaskar's Strong Condemnation
Sunil Gavaskar voiced his strong disapproval in a column for Mid-Day, explaining that income tax paid by Pakistani cricketers to their government can be used to acquire arms and weapons. He argued that any Indian-owned entity contributing financially to a Pakistani player, even through an overseas subsidiary, is indirectly supporting Indian casualties. "Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It's as simple as that," Gavaskar wrote.
The legendary cricketer's comments follow Sunrisers Leeds' acquisition of Abrar Ahmed for approximately ₹2.3 crore. This marks a rare instance of an Indian-owned franchise signing a Pakistani player for an international league. Sunrisers Leeds is owned by the Chennai-based Sun Group, which also owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Sunrisers Hyderabad.[indianexpress+15]
Historical Context and Public Outcry
Gavaskar highlighted the long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan as the backdrop for his outrage. He reminded the public that Indian franchise owners have generally avoided Pakistani players in the IPL since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Later events, such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, further underscore the sensitive relationship, according to Gavaskar.[indianexpress+6]
The decision by Sunrisers Leeds to sign Ahmed has drawn considerable criticism from Indian fans online. Reports indicate that the official X (formerly Twitter) account for Sunrisers Leeds was even suspended in India due to the backlash. Fans questioned the franchise's decision, especially given previous allegations of Abrar Ahmed mocking Indian armed forces on social media.[hindustantimes+8]
Ownership and Coaching Decisions
Kavya Maran, CEO of the Sunrisers Group, was present at The Hundred auction table when Abrar Ahmed was secured. Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori, from New Zealand, stated that Abrar was among the team's preferred spinner options. He also mentioned that the team management had no specific instructions to avoid buying Pakistani players.[sundayguardianlive+3]
However, Gavaskar questioned the owner's judgment, suggesting that even if the coach did not understand the political dynamics, the Indian owner should have intervened to prevent the acquisition. Gavaskar challenged whether winning a tournament in a less common format of cricket was more important than considering Indian lives. He also warned that Indian fans might boycott the franchise's matches both at home and away.[indianexpress+9]
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated it will not intervene in the matter, as The Hundred is an overseas league outside its jurisdiction. Gavaskar urged the franchise to reconsider its decision, hoping "better sense prevails."[yardbarker+2]
