By Irfan Bashir
The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), marketed as a landmark event to promote cricket and tourism in Srinagar, has collapsed in spectacular fashion, leaving behind a trail of unpaid bills, stranded players, and a reputation crisis for sports events in the region.
High-Profile Launch and Rapid Unraveling
The IHPL was launched on October 25 at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar, with much fanfare and claims of bringing international sports glamour to Jammu and Kashmir. Eight teams were scheduled to play 27 matches through November 8, bringing together cricket stars such as Chris Gayle, Praveen Kumar, Martin Guptill, Thisara Perera, and Parvez Rasool alongside emerging local talent. The league was supposed to be a private, grassroots initiative supported by various sponsors and amplified by prominent regional cricketers.
However, only days before the planned final, the entire enterprise came to a grinding halt. Organisers allegedly vanished from the city overnight, leaving about 40 players, umpires, and staff stranded at their hotel with mounting bills unpaid and no communication. The sudden shutdown led to cancelled matches and a chaotic scramble by participants to leave the city.
Unpaid Players and Mounting Debts
The most jarring aspect of the crisis has been the financial mismanagement. Top international and national players who had joined the event, drawn by attractive contracts and the promise of cricketing growth in Kashmir, went unpaid. Match officials and staff found themselves locked in their hotel rooms as management failed to clear dues—reportedly upwards of Rs 80 lakh for hotel expenses alone.
Umpire Mellisa Juniper, who flew in from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), detailed how participants were not allowed to leave the hotel due to unpaid bills, and the management went completely missing, refusing calls and messages. Some players, foreseeing trouble, left Srinagar in haste before the scale of the crisis unfolded publicly.
Management Vanishes, Police Begin Probe
The IHPL was set up by a Mohali-based non-profit called Yuva Society, which promoted the league as an initiative to boost youth engagement and sports tourism. However, as financial irregularities came to light, the organisation’s representatives disappeared, leaving no trace or response to inquiries from local media or affected parties.
Local police have registered a case and launched an investigation into alleged fraud and financial misappropriation. Some international players and officials have publicly expressed concern that the fiasco has caused irreparable damage to Srinagar’s reputation as a venue for international sporting events.
Government and Official Response
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council clarified that its role was limited to renting the stadium space and that it had no involvement in the planning or running of the event. Questions have arisen about the due diligence and background checks conducted before allowing the organisers to proceed, especially since the league was not recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Several scheduled matches were cancelled at the last minute, and fans who booked tickets are now demanding refunds. The rapid collapse has also left those involved in logistics and catering unpaid, with many fearing permanent financial loss.
Root Causes of the Collapse
Initial reports suggest that poor match attendance and sponsor withdrawal may have contributed to the financial spiral. Without the anticipated crowds and TV revenues, the organisers faced mounting expenses and dwindling resources. Unclear contracts, lack of transparency, and absence of official recognition created a perfect storm for disaster.
Stringent criticism has fallen on the management for failing to plan the event responsibly and on authorities for lack of vetting. The incident has sparked debate on the risks associated with privately run sports leagues, especially in areas where potential for economic uplift is tied closely to tourism and public perception.
Impact on Players and Legacy Concerns
Star players including Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill, attracted by promises of a unique Kashmiri cricketing experience, featured in several matches before the crisis forced them to leave. Local cricketers, intended to be the primary beneficiaries of the grassroots initiative, were left demoralized and financially exposed.
The collapse has not only impacted participants but also cast doubt on future private cricket ventures in the region. Srinagar’s aspirations of hosting internationally recognised cricket have suffered a major setback, as trust in private organisers erodes and calls for regulation grow louder.
What Lies Ahead
As investigations unfold, the incident serves as a cautionary tale for sports entrepreneurship in India. Authorities are under pressure to introduce greater transparency and oversight for privately run tournaments, especially where international and domestic reputations are at stake. Meanwhile, as players, staff, and supporting businesses await the outcome of police probes and any hope of compensation, the IHPL crisis remains a reminder that the allure of star-studded events demands robust planning, verified backing, and accountable leadership.
In the wake of the IHPL crisis, local cricket in Kashmir faces an uphill battle for credibility, investment, and trust—a challenge that will determine the future of international-standard sporting events in the Valley.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this newspaper
Leave a Reply