Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has sparked controversy after strongly criticising the decision of Sunrisers Leeds to sign Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed in the player auction of The Hundred. Gavaskar expressed his displeasure over the move, saying that paying Pakistani cricketers could indirectly harm India’s interests.
Gavaskar calls it “blood money”
Gavaskar described the payment to the Pakistani cricketer as “blood money,” arguing that a portion of the money earned by players goes to the government through taxes. Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.
“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. Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic, and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?” Gavaskar pointed out.
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Controversy around the signing
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds has drawn attention because Indian-owned teams have largely avoided signing Pakistani players since political tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. Pakistani cricketers have not participated in the Indian Premier League since its early years.
Debate in the cricketing world
While some supporters backed Gavaskar’s stance, others argued that sports should remain separate from politics. The incident has reignited discussions about whether Indian-owned franchises playing in international leagues should sign Pakistani players.
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The controversy continues to generate debate among fans, analysts and former cricketers, highlighting how political tensions can influence decisions in the world of sports.
