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Fees paid to Pakistani players could be used to take Indian lives: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar furious at franchise owned by Kavya Maran for buying a Pakistani player for a tournament in England

Mumbai – During the player auction for The Hundred, the team Sunrisers Leeds purchased Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for ₹2.34 crore. The ownership rights of Sunrisers Leeds belong to the Sun Group, which also owns the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League. Because of this connection, the decision has faced strong criticism. Kavya Maran is the owner representative of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Many have questioned why such a decision was taken amid tensions between India and Pakistan. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also criticised the move. In an article he wrote that money paid by an Indian-owned team to a Pakistani player could reach the Pakistani government in the form of taxes and potentially be used to purchase weapons. Therefore, such funds might indirectly be used against Indians, he said.

Public emotions in India are sensitive due to terrorist attacks

Gavaskar further wrote that considering the events in India-Pakistan relations in recent years, it is natural for people to react strongly. After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistani players have not been included in the Indian Premier League. Subsequent incidents such as the Pulwama attack and the Pahalgam attack in 2025 have made the sentiments of the Indian public even more sensitive.

Is winning a tournament more important than Indian lives?

Gavaskar wrote that the coach of Sunrisers Leeds, Daniel Vettori, might not be aware of this sensitivity, but the Indian owners should have considered the situation. According to him, Indian owners may be indirectly funding a system that could pose a threat to the lives of Indian soldiers and civilians. He questioned whether winning a tournament in which players from only a few countries participate is more important than the lives of Indians.

Editorial Perspective

An Indian-owned team purchasing a Pakistani player is tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of crores of citizens, and the government should take action against those showing sympathy towards Pakistan.

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