Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has sparked widespread debate after strongly criticising the decision by SunRisers Leeds to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in the 2026 auction of The Hundred.
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Reacting to the move, Sunil Gavaskar delivered a dramatic warning, saying that payments made to Pakistani players could indirectly benefit the Pakistani system at a time when tensions between the two nations remain high. His controversial remark — suggesting such financial flows could be seen as “contributing to the death of Indian soldiers” — quickly went viral across social media and news platforms.
The Auction Deal That Sparked the Row
The controversy began during The Hundred 2026 auction held on March 12, when SunRisers Leeds bought Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.3 crore).
The franchise reportedly outbid teams like Trent Rockets to secure the mystery spinner. The signing drew attention because it is rare for an Indian-owned or Indian-linked franchise to sign a Pakistani player in recent years.
Sunil Gavaskar Raises the Question of National Responsibility
While speaking about the issue, Sunil Gavaskar emphasised that Indian franchise owners should remain mindful of national sentiment when making such decisions.
According to him, cricket cannot be completely isolated from geopolitical realities, especially when India and Pakistan share a complex political history. He argued that even if a league operates on merit-based auctions, team owners must consider the broader implications of their financial choices.
The Larger Context of India–Pakistan Cricket
Cricket ties between India and Pakistan have remained limited for years. Pakistani players have not participated in the Indian Premier League since the early seasons of the tournament following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
