‘Blood Money’: Sunil Gavaskar Furious Over Kavya Maran’s Team Signing Abrar Ahmed

Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Sunrisers Leeds signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, saying the anger among Indian fans is understandable. The franchise, owned by Kavya Maran, has faced heavy criticism after picking the Pakistan player at the auction for The Hundred.

Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (around ₹2.3 crore), but the move quickly sparked outrage on social media. Many Indians questioned why a team linked to an Indian owner would sign a Pakistan cricketer at a time when tensions between the two countries remain high and memories of terror attacks are still fresh.

Writing in a column, Gavaskar said the backlash was predictable. He pointed out that Pakistan players have not been part of the Indian Premier League since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, after which Indian franchises chose to distance themselves from Pakistan cricketers.

Gavaskar also argued that financial aspects are a major concern for many Indians. According to him, the fees paid to Pakistan players eventually reach the Pakistan government through taxes, which critics believe indirectly supports a system hostile to India.

He also referred to attacks such as the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the more recent Pahalgam terror attack, saying these incidents continue to influence how Indians view sporting and cultural links with Pakistan.

The controversy deepened when Sunrisers Leeds briefly deactivated its official social media account soon after the criticism intensified online, before later restoring it. The debate grew further when team coach Daniel Vettori revealed that another Pakistan spinner, Usman Tariq, had also been under consideration during the auction.

For many fans, the issue has gone beyond cricket and turned into a question of national sentiment. Critics argue that an Indian-owned franchise should be mindful of public feelings, especially when past attacks involving Indian casualties remain a sensitive issue.

So far, neither Sunrisers Leeds nor Abrar Ahmed has indicated any change to the contract. However, Gavaskar's remarks have amplified the debate, highlighting how security concerns and public sentiment continue to shape reactions to decisions involving Pakistan players, even in overseas leagues like The Hundred.