Twitter Reactions: Netizens slam Kavya Maran after Sunrisers Leeds signs Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed

Indian fans have voiced their anger after Sunrisers Leeds, owned by Kavya Maran, acquired the services of Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed during the inaugural Men's Hundred auction on Thursday, March 12.

The political tension between India and Pakistan, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack last year, has soured cricketing relations between the two neighbouring countries as well. Since the 2025 Asia Cup, the Indian team has avoided shaking hands with Pakistani players during their meetings in multi-national events. Bilateral cricket between the nations has remained frozen for over a decade. Pakistani players have been banned from playing in the IPL since the 2009 season.

Amid the turmoil, Kavya Maran's Sunrisers Leeds made a massive call, signing Abrar during the auction held in London. Abrar had a base price of 75,000 pounds, but a bidding war involving Sunrisers Leeds and Trent Rockets saw the 27-year-old earning a mind-boggling contract of 190,000 pounds (around INR 2.3 crore).

Abrar's signing has sparked widespread backlash from several Indian fans on social media. The Karachi-born became the first Pakistani international to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament, a move that drew massive criticism for Sunrisers Leeds.

Sunrisers Leeds is owned by Indian media conglomerate Sun TV Network, which recently completed the acquisition of the franchise previously known as Northern Superchargers. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape are two of the other franchises owned by the conglomerate.

A few reports leading up to the auction suggested that IPL franchise-owned teams might avoid bidding for Pakistani players. It seemed true in the initial stages of the auction, as Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan went unsold. However, Abrar's news took social media by storm.

Indian fans slammed Maran, while some opined that Sunrisers Hyderabad should be boycotted during the upcoming edition of the IPL.

Let's take a look at how fans reacted to Abrar Ahmed's signing on social media:

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

ॐ Er Prince Raj 🚩@PrinceRaj628

@sunrisersleeds Shame on You Kavya Maran

09:29 PM · Mar 12, 2026

1.6K109

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

Prantik@Pran__07

@sunrisersleeds Well done for signing someone who has constantly mocked Indian soldiers

07:29 PM · Mar 12, 2026

3.9K324

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

ranidevi@ranidevi032

@sunrisersleeds Kavya Maran and SunRisers Hyderabad are the most punchable face right now : > Cheered for Pak in 2023 WC. > Used to celebrate Pak win vs Ind. > Kavya Maran had a paki boyfriend. > Were against Op. Sindoor. > Bought Paki Abrar Ahmed in team. Shame is a small word here !!!

09:25 PM · Mar 12, 2026

21935

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

Riki@Riki_tweets

@sunrisersleeds Don’t even flex this , it’s a disgrace to all genuine supporters of SRH

08:32 PM · Mar 12, 2026

96970

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

Faiz Fazel@theFaizFazel

@sunrisersleeds Shame on Sunrisers for buying pakistani player & that too Abrar Ahmed who hates India the most very openly & bring war gestures, tea gestures on his social media to demean India!! Abrar Ahmed is a open hater of India unlike Mustafizur!!

07:43 PM · Mar 12, 2026

1.3K80

Noor Ahmad Nation 🇦🇫@kohinor_7

@sunrisersleeds Shameful act by Kavya Maran and her franchise They are gonna lose a lot of fans and supporters. x.com/i/status/20320…

Noor Ahmad Nation 🇦🇫@kohinor_7

Sunrisers Leeds Bought Pakistani Spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred League Auction 🤯 - He became the first Pakistani player to be picked by a franchise owned by the Indian owners. - Kavya Maran and her franchise might have just lost a lot of supportors and respect for this.

09:04 PM · Mar 12, 2026

27618

SunRisers Leeds@sunrisersleeds

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏 [Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds]

Kapil@thekapilgoswami

@sunrisersleeds Shame!! Shame!! Indian people should stop supporting this Pakistani loving franchise.

07:55 PM · Mar 12, 2026

193