New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) Renowned former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has vehemently condemned the choice made by SunRisers Leeds to acquire Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed during the 2026 The Hundred auction. He emphasized that Indian franchise owners should refrain from signing players from Pakistan, considering the delicate political relations between the two countries.

Gavaskar raised concerns about whether the pursuit of sporting achievements should eclipse national interests, asserting that Indian-owned franchises must consider the broader repercussions of such actions, as funds earned by Abrar could potentially be utilized against India.

“The uproar surrounding the signing of a Pakistani player by an Indian franchise owner in The Hundred is not unexpected. Following the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have largely steered clear of Pakistani players for the IPL,” Gavaskar remarked in his column for Mid-Day.

He pointed out that the discussion transcends cricketing talent. He argued that the financial connections, from player compensation to governmental tax revenue, pose a moral quandary for Indian owners when engaging with Pakistani athletes.

“The realization, albeit late, that the payments made to a Pakistani player contribute to income tax revenues that fund arms and ammunition, indirectly leading to the fatalities of Indian soldiers and civilians, has prompted Indian entities to reconsider any involvement with Pakistani artists and athletes,” he stated.

“Whether the payment is made by an Indian entity or its foreign affiliate, if the owner is Indian, they are inadvertently contributing to Indian casualties. It’s as straightforward as that,” Gavaskar added.

The former Indian opener also highlighted that while team management may view signings solely from a sporting angle, franchise owners should contemplate the national consequences of their choices.

“Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand coach for the team in The Hundred, may not grasp this fundamental dynamic and might have sought some Pakistani players, but surely the owner should have comprehended the situation and deterred the acquisition. Is winning a tournament in a format that is unique to only a few countries more essential than safeguarding Indian lives?” he questioned.

SunRisers Leeds acquired Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore) during the auction held in London on Thursday. The franchise, owned by the Sun Group and led by businessman Kalanithi Maran, had his daughter Kavya Maran representing the team at the auction alongside head coach Daniel Vettori.

This signing has triggered widespread backlash from Indian fans, with many labeling the franchise as anti-national.

Gavaskar cautioned the franchise that the repercussions of this signing may extend into the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, possibly leading to fan boycotts or protests.

“It would not be surprising if, for every match this team plays, whether at home or away, there are significant demonstrations by Indian fans protesting this hard-to-fathom acquisition. In fact, despite having some of the most talented players in their lineup, the crowds may stay away, expressing their disapproval of this decision,” Gavaskar concluded.