The Sunrisers cricket franchise, owned by the Sun Group and led by Kalanithi and Kavya Maran, is facing intense criticism online after its sister team, Sunrisers Leeds, signed Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred draft for $255,000 (£190,000).
The Leeds-based side secured Ahmed during the inaugural men’s draft for the tournament in London, making him the first Pakistani cricketer to be picked by a team owned by an Indian franchise in The Hundred.
However, the signing quickly triggered a wave of backlash from some Indian fans on social media, with critics accusing the franchise of overlooking national sensitivities.
The controversy escalated further after Sunrisers Leeds’ official account on X was reportedly suspended shortly after the announcement of Ahmed’s signing, fueling speculation and debate online.
Fans also circulated screenshots of Ahmed’s alleged past social media posts that they claim mocked the Indian Army, intensifying calls from some users to boycott Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The franchise has not yet released an official response, but the episode has sparked a wider online debate about the intersection of sports, politics, and public sentiment.
