SRH owner Kavya Maran faces backlash for signing Abrar Ahmed for 'The Hundred'; BCCI says "can't do anything"

The acquisition of Pakistan's mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.34 crore) has triggered a massive storm in the cricketing world. On Friday, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla addressed the growing controversy, clarifying that the Indian board has no jurisdiction over foreign leagues. He emphasized that since the signing pertains to 'The Hundred' in England, the decision rests entirely with the franchise owners, even if they have roots in the IPL.

The backlash intensified on social media against franchise co-owner Kavya Maran, with many fans pointing to alleged past remarks by the 27-year-old spinner. Critics highlighted posts from last year where Ahmed reportedly mocked the Indian armed forces during "Operation Sindoor"—a period of heightened border tensions in May 2025. Adding to the drama, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was reportedly suspended shortly after the signing was announced, though no official reason was provided for the suspension.

Despite the geopolitical sensitivities, Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori defended the move as a purely "cricketing decision." He noted that the team needed a high-quality spinner after missing out on local talent, and Abrar—ranked third in the world for international T20 bowling—was the best available overseas option. The bidding war with the Trent Rockets proved that the franchise was determined to secure his services regardless of the "shadow-ban" rumors that had plagued the auction build-up.