IPL 2026 is set to get underway on Saturday, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has responded to criticism over appearing on the guest panel of a Pakistan-based cricket show during Asia Cup 2025.

Abrar Ahmed Controversy: The Sunrisers acquiring Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred auction has spiralled into a major controversy

Abrar Ahmed is not losing sleep over the possible backlash, specifically comments from former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, on his signing by an Indian-owned franchise, Sunrisers Leeds, in the auction for the upcoming edition of The Hundred.

Pakistan-born England cricketer Azeem Rafiq has been brutally slammed on social media after criticising India legend Sunil Gavaskar's comments, following Sunrisers Leeds' purchase of Abrar Ahmed.

A recent acquisition - Abrar Ahmed from Pakistan - by SunRisers Leeds, whose parent company is Indian-owned (Kavya Maran), created a furore across the nation

Sunrisers Hyderabad have copped some heavy criticism from fans over the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for their sister franchise in The Hundred, Sunrisers Leeds.

Abrar Ahmed was roped in by the franchise - which is also in charge of the IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 - for 190,000 GBP (approx. Rs 2.34 crore) during Sunday's auction in London

Abrar Ahmed became the first Pakistani player signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament.

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was roped in by the franchise, which is also in charge of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, for 190,000 pounds (approx. Rs 2.34 crore).