Sunrisers Leeds Twitter account suspended in India has sparked a major debate across the cricket world, blending sports with politics and social media outrage. What began as a routine player signing during The Hundred auction in London quickly turned into a global controversy involving fans, franchise owners, and cricket boards.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, users discovered that the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds had been suspended. Visitors attempting to open the page were shown the standard message saying the account had been suspended for violating platform rules.
The timing of the suspension immediately caught attention because it came just hours after the franchise signed Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred 2026 auction in London. The franchise, owned by India’s Sun Group, reportedly secured Abrar for £190,000, which is approximately ₹2.34 crore.
This signing created history in more ways than one. Abrar Ahmed became the first Pakistani cricketer to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the six-year history of The Hundred.
For years, a quiet but widely known “shadow ban” existed in global leagues connected to the Indian Premier League. Franchises owned by IPL teams in tournaments such as SA20 in South Africa and ILT20 in the UAE had generally avoided signing Pakistani players.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had recently reminded franchises that selections must be based purely on cricketing merit. The board reportedly cited the United Kingdom’s anti-discrimination laws while issuing guidance to teams ahead of the auction.
From a cricketing perspective, Sunrisers Leeds believed they were making a strong strategic move. Abrar Ahmed is currently ranked among the top T20 bowlers in the world and is known for his mystery spin and wicket-taking ability.
However, the reaction in India was immediate and intense. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism directed at the franchise and its leadership.
Hashtags such as #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers began trending, with many fans targeting Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran. Critics argued that the signing ignored national sentiments.
Much of the anger stems from Abrar Ahmed’s alleged social media activity in 2025. The spinner reportedly posted a photo with the caption, “Having the last cup of FANTASTIC evening TEA,” which some Indian fans interpreted as a reference to the 2019 incident involving captured Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Many fans viewed the post as offensive and resurfaced it after the signing was announced. For them, the issue moved beyond cricket and into national pride.
Amid the backlash, discussions intensified around Sunrisers Leeds Twitter account suspended in India, as users began mass-reporting the account and posting criticism across multiple platforms. While X has not officially confirmed the exact reason for the suspension, speculation suggests that mass reporting or a temporary shutdown by the franchise itself could have played a role.
The controversy has also affected other teams under the Sun Group umbrella. The comment sections of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s social media accounts have reportedly been flooded with demands from fans asking the management to cancel Abrar’s contract before The Hundred begins on July 21.
Despite the growing criticism, Sunrisers Leeds management has defended the decision. Head coach Daniel Vettori said the team’s choice was purely based on cricketing needs.
According to Vettori, the franchise had been targeting England leg-spinner Adil Rashid during the auction but missed out. As a result, they turned their attention to Abrar Ahmed, who has impressed many international players.
Vettori explained that the team even consulted Australian players who had faced Abrar earlier in the year. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, describing him as one of the most dangerous spinners in modern T20 cricket.
Statistically, Abrar Ahmed’s record supports that reputation. The 27-year-old has taken 52 wickets in T20 internationals with an impressive economy rate of 6.67 and currently ranks third among T20 bowlers globally.
The franchise now finds itself in a difficult situation. Keeping Abrar Ahmed could trigger further commercial backlash in India, which remains a crucial market for the Sun Group ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
Releasing him, however, could open the door to legal complications under UK employment laws and could also damage the franchise’s reputation in England and Pakistan. Either decision could carry serious consequences.
The debate surrounding Sunrisers Leeds Twitter account suspended in India highlights how modern cricket increasingly intersects with politics, business interests, and the powerful influence of social media.
With The Hundred still months away, it remains to be seen whether the franchise stands by its cricketing decision or bows to public pressure.
One thing is certain: this story has already become one of the most talked-about controversies in world cricket this year.
