SRH’s Hundred Pick Triggers #BoycottSRH Storm in India
SRH’s choice of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred sets off social media backlash in India.
SRH’s Hundred Pick Triggers #BoycottSRH Storm in India. The selection of Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed by the Sun Group–owned Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in The Hundred has triggered a sharp backlash among Indian cricket fans.
The controversy erupted after past social-media activity from the 27-year-old resurfaced, in which he appeared to mock sensitive incidents involving India, including references to the 2019 capture of Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 India–Pakistan standoff and commentary linked to India’s 2019 Balakot airstrike.
By_ Dr. Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Chief Editor http://indiainput.com
The decision has placed Kavya Maran, who represents the Sun Group’s cricketing interests, at the center of the debate. Fans questioned why a franchise with deep Indian roots would sign a player whose past posts were perceived as disrespectful to national sentiment. The anger quickly spilled onto social media.
🚨 SUNRISERS LEEDS FRANCHISE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT SUSPENDED 🚨
– Last night at 8:30 PM, Sunrisers picked Abrar Ahmed in their team, and by 2:00 AM their Twitter account was suspended 😭😭.
– This shows the power of Indian people. Now Kavya Maran will understand what people’s… pic.twitter.com/sSPN475K6E
— Bemba Tavuma 🐐 (@gaandfaadtits) March 13, 2026
#BoycottSRH
Within hours of the announcement, #BoycottSRH began trending on X, while the franchise reportedly lost more than 100,000 followers on Instagram. The team’s official X account was also temporarily suspended after mass reporting, though it was later restored.
#Nation first
The controversy stems not just from the player’s nationality but from the context of India–Pakistan tensions. For many Indians, the Balakot strike and the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan were emotionally charged national moments tied to military pride and sacrifice. Any perceived ridicule of those events can be interpreted as an insult to the armed forces and the country’s sovereignty.
The most viral pic after Abrar Ahmed got picked by Sunrisers Leeds for the Hundred 😳 pic.twitter.com/KaDvTs2pSU
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) March 13, 2026
Critics argue that by prioritizing Abrar Ahmed after missing out on England star Adil Rashid, the franchise failed to consider how such associations might resonate with Indian supporters. They believe the decision overlooked the emotional connection fans have with their teams and the expectation that franchises reflect national sensitivities.
🚨 MASSIVE STATEMENT BY SUNRISERS LEEDS HEAD COACH DANIEL VETTORI ON ABRAR AHMED 🚨
Daniel Vettori Said 🗣️
“Abrar Ahmed Was A Priority for us, i was aware of the speculations surrounding Pakistan players but there were not any specific instruction to avoid signing them. Rishad… pic.twitter.com/X79MDpDlDn
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) March 13, 2026
No directives for overseas leagues?
However, team officials have attempted to calm the situation. Head coach Daniel Vettori stated that there had been no directive to avoid Pakistan players in overseas leagues. Meanwhile, Rajeev Shukla clarified that selections in The Hundred are outside the jurisdiction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The Hundred League
The Hundred is a unique cricket competition in England launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2021. The tournament features a fast-paced format where each team faces 100 balls instead of the traditional overs used in other formats. One of its defining features is that men’s and women’s teams are aligned under the same city-based franchises, promoting equal visibility and shared branding.
Each franchise represents both squads, and matches are often scheduled on the same day at the same venue. This structure aims to grow the women’s game alongside the men’s competition while creating a family-friendly, festival-style cricket experience for fans. 🏏
Conclusion
Even so, the episode highlights how cricket decisions today are inseparable from geopolitics and digital sentiment. For franchises like SRH, the incident serves as a reminder that in the age of social media, player choices are scrutinized not only for performance but also for symbolism and national perception.
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