CheemaPublished on March 13, 2026 | By CoverDrive Desk
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The cricket world is no stranger to auction day drama, but the events of March 12, 2026, have ignited a firestorm that extends far beyond the boundary ropes. Sunrisers Leeds, the UK-based sister franchise of the IPL’s SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), has found itself in the crosshairs of massive public outrage.
The Auction Shock: £190,000 for Abrar Ahmed
During the player auction for The Hundred, the Sun Group-owned franchise—led by CEO Kavya Maran—won a heated bidding war to secure the services of Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. The winning bid was a staggering £190,000 (approximately ₹2.34 crore).
While securing a top-tier spinner is usually a cause for celebration among a franchise’s fanbase, this particular acquisition has triggered an immediate and severe backlash across Indian social media, trending under hashtags like #BoycottSRH and #ShameOnSRH.
The Core of the Backlash: Why Fans Are Furious
The anger directed at the SRH ownership is not primarily about cricket. It is deeply rooted in geopolitical sensitivities and past controversies.
- Derogatory Social Media History: The primary driver of the outrage is Abrar Ahmed’s alleged social media activity in 2025. The spinner was accused of making posts mocking the Indian Armed Forces. Indian fans are furious that an Indian-owned corporate entity would offer financial backing to a player with a history of disparaging the nation.
- Breaking the Unwritten “Blockade”: Since 2008, Pakistani players have been excluded from the IPL. This unwritten rule largely extended to Indian-owned franchises operating in overseas leagues like the SA20, ILT20, and CPL. By aggressively raising the paddle for Ahmed, the Sun Group became the first IPL-linked ownership group in years to break this trend, drawing the ire of traditionalists and patriots alike.
The Management’s Stance and Legal Realities
While the emotional response from fans is palpable, the management’s decision was reportedly driven by a mix of tactical necessity and strict local laws in the UK.
From a sporting lens, Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori identified Ahmed as a crucial missing piece in their bowling attack. However, the legal angle is equally significant. Prior to the auction, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a stern directive to all franchises. They warned that excluding players from the draft pool based solely on nationality would be a direct violation of UK anti-discrimination laws.
Despite these legal constraints, the visual of Kavya Maran actively bidding for the controversial player has left a bitter taste for many SRH loyalists back home, creating a PR nightmare just weeks before the start of the IPL 2026 season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who did Sunrisers Leeds buy that caused the controversy?
Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Sun Group (which also owns SRH), purchased Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 during The Hundred auction.
Why are Indian fans boycotting SRH?
Fans are outraged because Abrar Ahmed allegedly made derogatory social media posts mocking the Indian Armed Forces in 2025. Fans feel an Indian-owned franchise should not financially back a player with such a history.
Why did Sunrisers Leeds sign a Pakistani player despite the backlash?
From a cricketing perspective, it was a tactical move to secure a quality spinner. Legally, the ECB warned franchises that excluding players based purely on nationality would violate UK anti-discrimination laws.
