'Fees paid to Pakistani player indirectly contributes to deaths of Indian soldiers, civilians': Gavaskar slams Sunrisers

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has criticised Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds for buying Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction, as he said that the money paid to cricketers from the neighbouring country “indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians.”

Abrar Ahmed was the only Pakistan cricketer to be picked by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred 2026 Auction. While reports had indicated that Indian-owned teams would refrain from bidding for Pakistani players, Sunrisers Leeds, who are owned by Sun Group, which also won IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, went on to buy Ahmed for £190,000 (INR 2.34 crore).

While Pakistani players have been part of T20 franchises owned by Indians in overseas leagues, there has been special scrutiny since the Pahalgam attack, which is why the Sunrisers Leeds deal has sparked such a massive controversy.

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Gavaskar says Sunrisers’ money can be used against Indian soldiers, civilians

Gavaskar did not hold back in his column for Mid-day as he underlined that Indian teams have been deliberately avoiding investing in Pakistan players, as it comes back to haunt their soldiers and civilians.

“The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL. Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

Gavaskar also questioned whether winning trophies is more important for the Sunrisers than the lives of Indians, as he questioned the decision-making of the owners.

“Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that. Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?”

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Gavaskar added that there’s still time for Sunrisers to make amends as they are set to face a massive protest from Indian fans.

“It won’t be a surprise that for every game that this team plays, whether at home or away there will be massive demonstrations by Indian fans protesting at this hard-to-believe buying. In fact, it won’t be a surprise that despite having some of the most attractive stroke makers in their team the crowds may stay away and show their disapproval of the decision. There’s still time to undo the wrong and hopefully wiser counsels will prevail.”