The Hundred Row | Fees Paid to Pakistani Cricketers Contribute to Deaths of Indian Soldiers: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Kavya Maran Over Abrar Ahmed Signing

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Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar stirred up a storm when he called out Kavya Maran, the Sunrisers owner, for choosing a Pakistani player in The Hundred’s upcoming season. The player auction in London was intense, and the Sunrisers Leeds franchise, which is owned by India’s Sun Group, grabbed mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for about £190,000, or 2.34 crore rupees.

That’s huge, and it’s the first time an Indian-owned team in England has picked up a Pakistani player. Gavaskar was blunt, calling it “blood money,” and said deals like this end up supporting a country that threatens India’s security.

“Blood Money” and National Interest: Gavaskar’s Scathing Critique

In a column for Mid-day, Gavaskar voiced strong anger over adding Pakistani players to an Indian-owned squad. The backlash nationwide goes beyond cricket; it’s about recognising how money exchanged with Pakistani athletes affects actual global situations. He pointed out that the income tax these athletes pay supports military spending and arms procurement.

Whether the funds come from an Indian business or a foreign entity such as Sunrisers Leeds, the ethical duty lies entirely with Indian owners who allow the team to exist. This setup creates a direct link between the players’ earnings and government military budgets. The ownership choice matters deeply because it influences real-world outcomes involving national security.

“The realization 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.”

“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.”

“Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?”

What Exactly Happened at The Hundred Option in London?

The controversy started when Sunrisers Leeds won the first private auction for The Hundred by outbidding others to secure Abrar Ahmed. Daniel Vettori and Kavya Maran were there at the table during the record bid. The England and Wales Cricket Board had earlier required all picks to be based solely on cricketing ability to prevent bias.

The thing is, an Indian-owned team making that choice broke a long-standing tradition among IPL, SA20, and ILT20 owners. There was no official rule against it, but the move surprised many who expected otherwise. Turns out, cricketing merit wasn’t enough to override cultural expectations in those leagues.

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