Buying Pak players contributes to death of Indian soldiers: Gavaskar slams SRH owners

Sunil Gavaskar has criticised SunRisers Leeds owners for signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred 2026 auction, arguing that Indian owners must not contribute to Pakistani government revenues.

Sunil Gavaskar has launched a stinging attack on the owners of SunRisers Leeds over their decision to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred 2026 auction.

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, the former India captain argued that Indian franchise owners signing Pakistani players indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians.

He questioned whether winning a tournament is worth more than Indian lives.

Gavaskar's argument centres on the financial trail. Fees paid to Pakistani players, he contends, eventually reach the Pakistani government through income tax. That money, in his view, funds arms and weapons purchases.

He stressed that this logic applies whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary making the payment.

"The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL," Gavaskar wrote.