‘Shame on you SRH’

London, Mar 14: After Kavya Maran’s franchise Sunrisers Leeds bought Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, the decision drew backlash from many Indian supporters on social media.
“Leeds acquired Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190k. Abrar was literally used to mock India with the having tea picture and used to mock Indian players with unwanted celebrations in Asia Cup. Shame on you SRH,” an X user write on X.
“Sunriser Leeds picked Abrar Ahmed for £1,90,000. He is the same Abrar Ahmed, who never gets tired of mocking Indians with that Tea Cup gesture. I don’t know what to say but one thing is clear all agenda & propoganda of British media against Indian owners was baseless!”
“Playing against is totally different from paying the players who mocked India during Operation Sindoor,” an ‘X’ user wrote on X.Abrar was the second Pakistan player sold in the auction after mystery spinner Usman Tariq was bought by Birmingham Phoenix.
When asked about the matter, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it clear that the board does not intend to intervene.
“It doesn’t concern us. It’s not the IPL. What happens in The Hundred or other overseas leagues, we have nothing to do with it,” Shukla told PTI.
The remark has effectively allowed the BCCI to wash its hands of the issue, despite the fact that the franchise involved is owned by the same corporate group that operates an IPL team.
While technically correct that the Hundred falls outside the BCCI’s jurisdiction, critics argue that the board’s response reflects a convenient interpretation of responsibility.
For years, the absence of Pakistani players in the IPL has been presented as a reflection of national sentiment and political realities.
The league — widely considered the most influential franchise tournament in world cricket — has maintained that stance for over a decade.
However, when an Indian-owned franchise operating abroad signs a Pakistani cricketer, the BCCI’s position appears to suddenly shift to one of complete detachment.
Such a stance raises uncomfortable questions. If the board expects franchises within India to adhere to certain unwritten sensitivities, can it realistically claim no interest when the same ownership groups operate teams in foreign leagues? The argument that it is an “overseas matter” may offer administrative cover, but it also exposes a glaring inconsistency in the board’s approach. The background of the franchise itself further complicates the narrative.
The Sun Group completed a full takeover of the erstwhile Northern Superchargers last year, acquiring a 49 per cent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the remaining 51 per cent from Yorkshire County Cricket Club for around £100 million before rebranding the side as Sunrisers Leeds.During Thursday’s auction, Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran was present and actively participated in the bidding that secured Abrar’s services.