“Call me”: Lalit Modi helps Kavya Maran deal with criticism after Abrar Ahmed row

Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi has come out in support of Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran amid intense social media backlash. The criticism erupted after Sunrisers Leeds recently purchased Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed during the men’s player auction for The Hundred.

Sunrisers Leeds secured Abrar following a bidding war on Thursday in London. The franchise signed him for 190,000 British pounds, which translates to roughly ₹2.34 crore. This acquisition broke the unwritten norm of Indian corporate owners strictly avoiding Pakistani cricketers across franchise leagues.

Kavya Maran Faces Backlash After Abrar Ahmed Signing Sparks Controversy

The decision by Kavya Maran immediately triggered severe outrage across multiple social media platforms. Fans condemned Sunrisers Leeds for investing heavily in a Pakistani athlete. The backlash even caused the official X account of the sister franchise to face a temporary suspension.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Pakistani cricketers remain banned from participating in the Indian Premier League following the tragic 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Notably, Pakistan players participated in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.

Indian corporate owners generally avoid selecting Pakistani talent across various overseas T20 leagues, including the SA20 tournament in South Africa, to prevent alienating their core domestic fan base.

Lalit Modi Posts Cryptic Message on Kavya Maran Signing Abrar Ahmed

Lalit Modi posted a highly cryptic message on social media. The former cricket administrator also extended indirect support to the Sun Group management to navigate the backlash over the international player acquisition.

"Investing 2.34 crore on a Pakistani player when the fans are already on edge? I know a thing or two about managing optics and building empires. Call me," Modi wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on March 16.

Controversy over #players has hit @thehundred with the @sunrisersleeds pic.twitter.com/xBgnmwcgf4

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 16, 2026

Modi currently resides in the United Kingdom after leaving India in 2010. He is facing serious legal allegations related to tax evasion, money laundering, and proxy ownership linked to the IPL. In December 2025, he apologized to the Indian government for his comments.

"I apologise if I have hurt anyone's feelings, especially the Indian Government, for whom I have the highest respect and regard. The statement was misconstrued and was never intended to be as played out. Once again, my deepest apologies," he wrote.

Abrar Ahmed’s Participation in The Hundred 2026 in Doubt

Despite being signed by Sunrisers Leeds, Abrar Ahmed might miss the upcoming European tournament. His participation remains subject to receiving a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before the competition begins on July 21.

Notably, the PCB could deny this clearance due to a scheduling clash with international commitments. The Pakistan national team is set to play a two-match Test series against the West Indies during the same window.

Before the auction, the England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement promoting inclusivity. While Abrar’s signing sparked debate, Birmingham Phoenix also picked Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq. Meanwhile, star players like Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan went unsold.

Also read: Babar Azam played T20 World Cup 2026 with an injury: Reports