The much-anticipated ‘Indian Heaven Premier League’ (IHPL), a T20 cricket showcase designed to bring global attention to Jammu and Kashmir, has dramatically collapsed. Organizers are alleged to have fled Srinagar overnight, leaving approximately 40 participants, including players and umpires, stranded in hotels without payment and in a state of confusion. The tournament, which was scheduled to run from October 25 to November 8, has been abruptly halted.
The IHPL was primarily organized by the non-profit Yuva Society, reportedly with support from state sports authorities. It had attracted several international cricket personalities, including West Indies star Chris Gayle, New Zealand’s Jesse Ryder, and Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera. However, the dream of a successful tournament has dissolved into chaos.
Mellissa Juniper, an umpire from England, reported that the organizers “fled from the hotel” and failed to settle payments for the hotel, players, and umpires. Hotel officials confirmed that the organizers disappeared without clearing their dues. Some players, including Chris Gayle, had already departed the hotel on Saturday, sensing issues with the organization.
Former Indian cricketer Parvez Rasool, who participated in the league, mentioned that some players were temporarily prevented from leaving their accommodations until the situation was escalated to foreign diplomatic channels. The IHPL was intended to promote sports tourism, empower youth, and develop grassroots cricket in the region.
Announced on September 18 with former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna as a mentor, the league featured eight teams named after regions within Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. While the government was not the primary organizer, its involvement in preparations was indicated in a press release. The organizers had anticipated large crowds, with up to 30,000 spectators at Bakshi Stadium. However, attendance was poor, with only Gayle’s matches drawing significant crowds, leading to financial difficulties and sponsor issues.
Reports also indicate early logistical problems, such as a lack of uniforms on the first day. It is suspected that sponsors withdrew at the last minute, causing the organizers to run out of funds. Details regarding this are still awaited.
Disappointed ticket holders, who had paid ₹1,000 per ticket, returned home empty-handed on Sunday. A cricket enthusiast recounted waiting for hours with no announcement, organizers, or matches, and closed ticket counters, feeling cheated. Only 13 matches were ultimately played, with Gayle’s final appearance on Saturday seeing him score 88 runs in front of largely empty stands.