New Delhi. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized the Sunrisers franchise and its owner Kavya Maran over their decision to buy Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred 2026 auction. In fact, in the auction held on March 12, Sunrisers left Trent Rockets behind and added Abrar Ahmed for around Rs 2.34 crore. After this, many Indian fans expressed their displeasure on social media. It is alleged that last year Abrar Ahmed had made fun of the Indian Armed Forces through a social media post, due to which this controversy increased further. However, despite this criticism, the franchise stuck to its decision. The team’s head coach Daniel Vettori also said that Abrar was one of his favorite spin options and he was not told not to pick any Pakistani player.
Gavaskar, using very strong words in his column, said that a part of the fees paid to Pakistani players goes to the Pakistan government in the form of tax, which can later be used to buy weapons. According to him, this may indirectly contribute to the death of Indian soldiers and civilians.
“Responsibility for the deaths of Indians due to this decision”
Gavaskar, using very strong words in his column, said that a part of the fees paid to Pakistani players goes to the Pakistan government in the form of tax, which can later be used to buy weapons. According to him, this may indirectly contribute to the death of Indian soldiers and civilians. Gavaskar wrote that since the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, Indian franchise owners have maintained distance from including Pakistani players in the IPL. He believes that this understanding gradually emerged that the fees paid to Pakistani players ultimately go to the government of their country, which can be spent on weapons.
The controversy that has arisen over the purchase of a Pakistani player by an Indian owner in The Hundred is absolutely natural. IPL franchise owners have ignored Pakistani players since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. There is now an understanding that the tax on fees paid to players ultimately goes to the government, which can buy weapons, and may indirectly contribute to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians.
“Is the trophy more important than the lives of Indians?”
Gavaskar also said that New Zealand-based coach Daniel Vettori may not fully understand the complex India-Pakistan relationship, but franchise owner Kavya Maran should have kept this sensitivity in mind. He raised the question whether winning a tournament which is played by very few countries in the world is more important than the safety of Indian citizens. Whether the payment is from India or from a foreign subsidiary, if the owner is an Indian, the money may end up going in a direction that is detrimental to Indians. Daniel Vettori may not understand this complex situation, but the owner should have and should have stopped the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format which other countries do not even play, more important than the lives of Indians?”
There may be protest in IPL
Gavaskar believes that the effect of this decision can be seen in IPL 2026 also. He expressed apprehension that when Sunrisers Hyderabad takes the field, the reaction of the audience could be very sharp. He said that protests can take place during the team’s matches and spectators can express their dissatisfaction by reaching the stadium in small numbers. He also said that like the booing against Hardik Pandya last year, Kavya Maran may also have to face opposition from the audience. However, Gavaskar also said that there is still time and if the franchise reconsiders this decision then perhaps the situation can be resolved.
Finally, Gavaskar said that it would not be surprising if Indian fans protest against this decision wherever the team plays. Even if there are excellent batsmen in the team, spectators may avoid coming to the stadium. There is still time to correct this mistake and hopefully a wise decision will be taken.