The Hundred 2026: A major controversy has erupted after the The Hundred 2026 player auction in London. Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds, a franchise owned by the Sun Group, which also runs the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Following the signing, Indian cricket fans took to social media to criticize the decision, targeting the team’s CEO Kavya Maran. The debate quickly escalated online, prompting a response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well.
Abrar Ahmed Sold for £190,000 in Auction
During the first men’s player auction for The Hundred 2026, Abrar Ahmed entered the auction with a base price of about £75,000 (around ₹9.25 million).
A bidding battle followed between Sunrisers Leeds and Trent Rockets. Eventually, Sunrisers Leeds secured the Pakistani spinner for £190,000 (around ₹23.4 million / $280,000 approx.).
With this deal, Abrar Ahmed became one of the first Pakistani cricketers to play for a team owned by an Indian business group in The Hundred league.
Sun Group and Kavya Maran’s Role
Sunrisers Leeds is owned by Indian media conglomerate Sun Group, led by businessman Kalanithi Maran.
His daughter Kavya Maran serves as the CEO of the franchise and is also widely known as the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Because of this connection, many Indian fans directed their criticism toward Kavya Maran after the signing of the Pakistani player.
Why Indian Fans Are Upset
The backlash is not just about a Pakistani cricketer joining a team linked to Indian ownership. Several factors contributed to the outrage on social media.
Historical India–Pakistan Tensions
India and Pakistan share a complicated political and sporting relationship.
Since 2008, Pakistani players have not participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to political tensions between the two countries.
Because of this context, some fans questioned why a franchise linked to an IPL team would sign a Pakistani player in an overseas league.
Abrar Ahmed’s Old Social Media Posts Resurface
The controversy intensified when old social media posts and comments by Abrar Ahmed resurfaced online.
One particular post referencing “fantastic tea” went viral again. Some Indian social media users interpreted it as a sarcastic reference to a widely known viral moment involving an Indian Air Force pilot during the 2019 India–Pakistan tensions.
Many fans viewed the post as insensitive or disrespectful, which further fueled criticism of the signing.
Past Interview Comments Also Go Viral
Another clip from an interview with a Pakistani YouTube channel also resurfaced.
During the interview, Abrar Ahmed was asked which international cricketer he would like to face in a boxing ring. He jokingly named former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan.
While some fans saw it as harmless banter, others considered it unnecessary and disrespectful, adding to the ongoing criticism.
BCCI Responds to the Controversy
As the issue gained traction online, the BCCI was asked to comment on the matter.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified that the board has no authority over foreign leagues like The Hundred.
He stated that decisions regarding player signings in overseas tournaments are handled entirely by the respective league and its franchises.
Social Media Impact
The controversy quickly spread across social media platforms.
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Some fans reportedly unfollowed the Sunrisers Hyderabad Instagram account.
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The official X (Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was briefly suspended during the online chaos before becoming active again.
The online reaction highlighted how emotionally charged cricket-related issues can become, especially when linked to India–Pakistan relations.
Sunrisers franchise buying Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred has shocked many Indian fans.
This is the same player who earlier posted “fantastic tea” after the 2019 India–Pakistan aerial skirmishes, which many believed mocked Abhinandan Varthaman. pic.twitter.com/mhJXkuppgW
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) March 13, 2026
A Debate Between Sport and Sentiment
The incident has sparked a wider debate among cricket fans.
Some argue that professional leagues should remain separate from political tensions, emphasizing that The Hundred is an international tournament where franchises sign players purely for cricketing reasons.
Others believe that national sentiments and past controversies cannot be ignored when players or teams are connected to sensitive issues between the two countries.
This is the same Abrar Ahmed who once said – he wants to make Shikhar Dhawan his punching bag
Abrar has been bought by Sunrisers Leeds
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) March 12, 2026
What Happens Next?
The Hundred 2026: For now, Abrar Ahmed remains signed with Sunrisers Leeds for The Hundred 2026 season.
Whether the controversy fades away or continues to impact the team’s public image will likely depend on future developments and the player’s performance on the field.
One thing is certain: the episode once again shows how cricket, politics, and public sentiment often intersect in South Asian sports culture.
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