Rohit Sharma's Instagram Activity Sparks Speculation After Sunrisers Hyderabad's Controversial Auction

A recent controversy erupted when Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, leading to speculation about Rohit Sharma unfollowing the team on Instagram. While fans expressed outrage over the auction, claiming it contradicted the IPL's stance on Pakistani players, the truth about Rohit's social media activity reveals he only follows the Mumbai Indians. Sunrisers Leeds coach Daniel Vettori defended the decision to sign Abrar, emphasizing his unique skills. This article delves into the details of the situation and the reactions it has sparked.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 11:23 IST

Rohit Sharma's Alleged Unfollow of SRH: Fact or Fiction?

Recently, speculation arose regarding whether Rohit Sharma unfollowed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) following the auction where their sister franchise, Sunrisers Leeds, acquired Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for a hefty sum of US$255,000. The decision to sign Abrar has stirred controversy, especially since players from Pakistan are prohibited from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fans expressed their discontent, urging Indian-owned teams to maintain their stance against Pakistani players in international leagues. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clarified that discrimination has no place in the Hundred tournament. After missing out on Adil Rashid, SRH viewed Abrar as a viable option, leading to significant backlash in India, with the hashtag #boycottSRH trending on social media platforms. Amidst this uproar, rumors circulated that Rohit Sharma had unfollowed SRH on Instagram.

Rohit Sharma's Instagram Following: The Truth

As of March 16, Rohit Sharma does not follow Sunrisers Hyderabad on Instagram. However, the claim that he unfollowed the team after the Leeds franchise's decision to bid for Abrar Ahmed appears to be unfounded. In reality, Rohit only follows the Mumbai Indians among IPL franchises on Instagram, maintaining a total of 112 accounts, primarily consisting of fellow cricketers and brands.

Sunrisers Leeds Defends Abrar Ahmed Acquisition

In the wake of signing Abrar Ahmed, Sunrisers Leeds coach Daniel Vettori expressed excitement about the addition, noting that players like Usman Tariq and Rishad Hossain were also considered. Vettori remarked, “Abrar Ahmed is unique in the amount of variations, and many domestic players may not have encountered him before.” He further stated, “We entered the auction with every player available to us. Once this opportunity arose, we had several excellent spinners from international teams to choose from, but Abrar was our top priority.”