Controversy Erupts Over Pakistani Player Signing by Sunrisers Hyderabad Franchise
Major Controversy in Cricket
A significant uproar has emerged in the cricketing world as Kavya Maran, co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has signed Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately 2.34 crore INR) for the Sunrisers Leeds team in The Hundred 2026 franchise. This marks the first instance where an Indian-owned franchise has included a Pakistani player, igniting a storm on social media. Fans have begun trending hashtags like #BoycottSRH and #BoycottKavyaMaran, with many directly criticizing Kavya Maran.
What Happened at the Auction?
The inaugural main player auction for The Hundred 2026 took place in London on March 13. Abrar Ahmed, a 27-year-old leg spinner, had a base price of £75,000. A fierce bidding war ensued between the Trent Rockets and Sunrisers Leeds, ultimately leading to Sunrisers Leeds securing Abrar for £190,000 (US$255,000). Kavya Maran was present at the auction and actively participated in the bidding.
Why the Outrage?
- Breaking an Unofficial Ban: Since 2009, Pakistani players have been barred from participating in the IPL due to political reasons. Although The Hundred is a separate league operated by the ECB, fans perceive Sunrisers Leeds as a sister team to SRH (part of the Sun Group/Sun TV Group), leading them to view this as 'an Indian team signing a Pakistani player.'
- Old Posts Resurface: Fans have unearthed past social media posts by Abrar Ahmed, where he allegedly made anti-India comments or jokes (such as posts during Operation Sindoor/Balakot airstrikes). Fans are questioning, 'Why include a player who mocks India?'
- Social Media Backlash: Following the announcement on Sunrisers Leeds' official X account, thousands of negative comments flooded in, leading to the account being suspended within hours for violating rules. Hashtags like #BoycottSRH, #BoycottKavyaMaran, and #ShameOnKavyaMaran are trending. One user commented, 'Kavya Maran, where is your patriotism? Why a Pakistani in the IPL?'
- Fan Demands: Many SRH supporters are calling for a boycott of the team in IPL 2026. Some have stated, 'If you can sign a Pakistani for The Hundred, why not for the IPL? Double standards!'
Reactions from the Team and BCCI
- Sunrisers Leeds has yet to issue an official statement, but some reports suggest that the decision was based on merit and that the league is separate.
- The BCCI has remained silent, but sources indicate they view The Hundred as distinct since it is an ECB league, and IPL rules differ. However, the fans' anger is primarily directed at SRH.
- Some users from the Pakistani side have supported Kavya Maran, stating, 'Cricket is a sport, not politics.'
What Lies Ahead?
This controversy poses a significant challenge for SRH just before IPL 2026. The team is already under pressure regarding performance and fan engagement. If the boycott trend continues, it could impact sponsorships and ticket sales. Experts suggest that this issue extends beyond Abrar's nationality, touching on his past posts and the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.