Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is at the centre of a brewing international controversy following his blistering critique of the Sunrisers Leeds (the UK-based affiliate of IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad). The Little Master has sparked a fierce debate that has transcended the cricket pitch, drawing sharp rebukes from former international cricketers and leaving the Sunrisers management in a PR crisis.
Abrar Ahmed and The Hundred
The controversy began on March 12 (Thursday), when Sunrisers Leeds signed Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approx. Rs 2.34 crore) at The Hundred auction. While this move initially appeared to break the shadow ban on Pakistani players by Indian-owned franchises, it triggered an immediate nationalistic outcry.
Gavaskar’s ‘national interest’ argument
In a column for Mid-Day published earlier this week, Gavaskar did not mince words. He labelled the move a failure of ‘conscience’ by the Indian owners (the Maran family).
Gavaskar argued that the fees paid to Pakistani players reach the Pakistani government through income tax, which is then used to buy arms and weapons that kill Indian soldiers and civilians. He questioned whether winning a trophy in a niche league was “more important than Indian lives,” he said.
While he spared head coach Daniel Vettori, calling him a New Zealander who “may not understand the dynamic”, he blamed the Indian ownership for not blocking the purchase.
Gavaksar’s comments termed ‘vile’ and ‘absolutely ridiculous’
Rafiq, who is from Pakistani origin took to social media to call Gavaskar’s comments “vile” and “absolutely ridiculous”, stating that no amount of runs scored should make such political rhetoric acceptable in sports.
“This is absolutely ridiculous & should be condemned .. How are these comments acceptable? I don’t care how many runs you have scored. Vile stuff from Gavaskar,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly reminded The Hundred franchises of its strict anti-discrimination policies. Meanwhile, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla distanced the Indian board, stating they have no jurisdiction over private owners in overseas leagues.