Sunil Gavaskar Slams SunRisers Leeds Over Abrar Ahmed Signing in The Hundred
SunRisers Leeds’ decision to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed at the The Hundred 2026 auction has sparked a major debate. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar strongly criticised the franchise’s Indian ownership. Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar questioned the judgment of the franchise owners, arguing that Indian entities should refrain from signing Pakistani players given the strained relations between the two nations. In his view, the controversy surrounding the move was inevitable. “The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising,” Gavaskar wrote. He pointed out that since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Indian franchises have deliberately avoided signing Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League. According to him, the reasoning behind that stance remains relevant even when Indian-owned teams operate in overseas competitions. Gavaskar’s argument focused on what he described as the financial implications of such signings. He suggested that payments made to Pakistani players could indirectly contribute to funding activities hostile to India through taxation. “Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government, which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons,” he wrote. “Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian, then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that.” The former opener acknowledged that the team’s head coach, Daniel Vettori, who hails from New Zealand, might not fully grasp the sensitivities surrounding the issue. However, he insisted that the responsibility ultimately rests with the franchise’s ownership. “Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase,” Gavaskar wrote. “Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?” SunRisers Leeds secured Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.34 crore) after outbidding Trent Rockets at the auction in London. The franchise is owned by the Sun Group, led by Kalanithi Maran, with Kavya Maran representing the team at the auction table alongside Vettori. The move marks a rare instance of a franchise with Indian ownership recruiting a Pakistani international, a decision that has produced sharply contrasting reactions. While the signing has been widely praised in the United Kingdom as a merit-based decision within The Hundred, it has triggered a strong backlash among many fans in India. For Gavaskar, however, the debate extends beyond cricket. In his view, the issue is ultimately one of responsibility and principle, and he believes the franchise owners made the wrong call.
‘I Might Have Made Mistakes’; Gautam Gambhir Opens Up on Kohli-Rohit Equation
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that he might not have managed certain relationships within the team perfectly, particularly with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both veterans stepped away from Test cricket during Gambhir’s first season in charge after India’s disappointing campaign in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At the Revsportz Conclave in Kolkata, Gambhir was asked about ongoing media reports suggesting that his relationship with Kohli and Rohit had deteriorated. Without directly confirming any issues, the coach acknowledged that mistakes could have happened during his tenure. He stressed that errors are inevitable and that he does not claim to be perfect. Gambhir explained that he accepts the possibility of having made wrong calls over the past year and a half, but believes the intent behind decisions matters most. According to him, decisions made with honest intentions should be understood, whereas actions taken with the wrong motive are unacceptable within the team environment. He also said that transparency with players remains essential in his role. As long as he can speak openly and honestly with members of the dressing room, he believes he is fulfilling his responsibilities as head coach. India’s struggles in Test series against the New Zealand national cricket team and the Australia national cricket team triggered a review by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Following that assessment, the board introduced stricter rules for the Test side, placing limits on the level of individual freedom players previously had. Shortly after those developments, both Kohli and Rohit decided to retire from the longest format of the game, bringing an end to their long Test careers. Since then, the team management has begun focusing on a younger group of players led by Shubman Gill. Results during this transition phase have been mixed. India managed to hold England to a draw in an away series, defeated the West Indies national cricket team, but later suffered a setback in a two-match series against the South Africa national cricket team. Even with inconsistent outcomes, the new-look side has started to display the aggressive and evolving approach the management wants to establish in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Kohli and Rohit continue to represent India only in One Day Internationals and are aiming to remain in contention for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. However, the coaching staff and selectors have made it clear that their selection for the tournament will depend on performance rather than reputation.
Injury Cloud Over Harshit Rana Ahead of Indian Premier League
There is growing speculation among Kolkata Knight Riders fans about the fitness of pacer Harshit Rana. The franchise has not yet confirmed whether he will be available for the upcoming Indian Premier League season. However, the current condition of his injury suggests that his chances of playing appear very slim. KKR may soon have to start looking for a replacement. Rana attended an awards ceremony organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Sunday. The young pacer received the award for Best Debutant in Men’s Cricket for last year. But Rana could not even walk up to the stage to collect the honour. Instead, Arun Dhumal, chairman of the IPL, stepped down from the stage and personally handed the award to him at his seat. Another video of Rana from the event has gone viral on social media. In the clip, he can be seen walking with the help of crutches. Even attending the BCCI function appeared difficult for the fast bowler. Holding a crutch in his right hand, Rana was struggling to move. Security personnel were seen clearing the crowd in front of him so that he could walk without any difficulty. With less than two weeks left before the IPL begins, Rana is still unable to walk normally. A fast bowler needs to sprint during his run-up. Reaching that level of fitness will take time. Only after that can the pacer think about returning to competitive cricket. Although KKR have not officially commented on the situation, it appears increasingly likely that Rana may miss this year’s IPL. Sources close to the franchise have already hinted on social media that the pacer might not be available for the tournament. KKR’s pace department is already facing challenges. The franchise recently signed Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. Now the team may have to find another replacement if Rana is ruled out. Reports suggest the franchise is considering several options. Bowlers such as Akash Madhwal, Simarjeet Singh, and Chetan Sakariya are believed to be on their radar. It now remains to be seen when the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise officially announces a replacement for the injured pacer.
IPL Returns to Chinnaswamy as Karnataka Government Gives Approval
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has received official permission from the Government of Karnataka to host Indian Premier League matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The approval came after a meeting between KSCA officials, the state Home Minister and an expert committee that inspected the stadium’s safety arrangements. KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya confirmed that the government cleared the venue after reviewing the work completed at the stadium. “We are extremely happy to inform you that the government has permitted us to play the IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium,” he said. He also confirmed that all matches proposed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take place at the venue. “All the five matches that RCB had proposed will be played here. The playoffs and finals are also likely to be held at the stadium,” Mruthyunjaya said. The government has already issued a formal letter granting permission. “The government has also asked us to ensure that all safety guidelines and standard operating procedures are strictly followed,” he added. The clearance came after the expert committee carried out a detailed inspection of the stadium on March 13. The panel reviewed the work completed under Phase 1 of the safety upgrades. Mruthyunjaya said the committee personally inspected different sections of the venue. “As committed by the KSCA, all the Phase 1 works have been completed to the satisfaction of the Expert Committee. They conducted a personal inspection across the stadium to verify the work done.” During the visit, the panel also suggested a few additional safety steps that must be implemented on match days. KSCA Vice-President Sujith Somasundar said the committee also emphasised the need to educate spectators about the new arrangements. “They were also of the opinion that we should have a strong social media campaign where we will inform the public about all the safety measures,” he said. He explained that fans will be informed about entry points, exits and emergency services. “We will educate spectators on how to attend a match of this magnitude, including information on exit points, ambulance services and other safety arrangements.” The stadium has now been cleared to host matches at full capacity. “The full capacity of the stadium is about 33,000 spectators. Authorities have given us permission to host matches at full capacity since all the safety measures have been completed,” Somasundar said. According to KSCA, the stadium will soon be handed over to Royal Challengers Bengaluru as per the existing agreement. “We will hand over the stadium to RCB as per the stadium agreement and assist them in ensuring that all safety standards are maintained,” Mruthyunjaya said. The Phase 1 work focused mainly on improving crowd management and emergency response systems. Several recommendations were made by the police department. These included widening stadium gates, increasing exit points and creating holding areas inside the venue. Officials also suggested improving entry and exit movement for spectators. Authorities further advised reducing crowd flow from Queen’s Road and increasing entry from Cubbon Road, which is wider and better suited for large crowds. Other recommendations came from the Public Works Department, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Medical and Family Welfare Department. These focused on fire safety and medical emergency preparedness. “All the measures recommended by the Expert Committee under Phase 1 have been fully implemented,” Mruthyunjaya said. With the clearance now in place, Bengaluru is set to host IPL matches once again at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium.
