Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Nov 3: What began as a glittering sporting spectacle in Kashmir featuring global cricket stars has ended in chaos, unpaid bills and a police investigation.
The privately-organised, high-profile Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) T20 in Srinagar has collapsed amid allegations of fraud, unpaid dues and the sudden disappearance of its organisers.
According to reports, police have registered a case and initiated a probe after multiple players, service providers and hotel managements accused the organisers of cheating and breach of trust.
The global names associated with the league included Chris Gayle (West Indies), Martin Guptill (New Zealand) and Jesse Ryder (New Zealand), among other famous names of local and national cricket, announced as part of the line-up and a first for Kashmir cricket.
Notably, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC) clarified that it had no role beyond ground allotment, stating the event was entirely private.
A timeline of major incidents that have unfolded over the past weeks is as follows:
October 2025: A Dream Launch
The IHPL was launched in October as Kashmir’s own high-profile T20 league, promising to blend international glamour with local talent.
Backed by a Mohali-based group, Yuva Society, the tournament featured eight teams named after regions such as Pulwama Titans, Gulmarg Royals and Kishtwar Giants and more.
The organisers claimed sponsorship tie-ups and promised significant prize money. Matches were scheduled at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium from October 25 to November 8, among which the first few matches were held too.
Late October: Early cracks appear
In the initial matches, players and support staff began complaining of payment delays and a lack of basic facilities. Reports suggest players were promised payments of up to Rs 3 lakh per match, but those payments allegedly never arrived.
Team managers began receiving “technical explanations” for non-payments, even as organisers continued posting promotional videos online showing celebrity arrivals and matches at Bakshi Stadium.
A player, as earlier reported, said, “They promised match fees, accommodation and travel support. But after two games, everything stopped, no payments, no clarity and no one picking up calls.”
November 1–2: Matches cancelled, confusion peaks
The situation deteriorated over the weekend. Matches scheduled for November 1 and 2 were abruptly cancelled, and players were reportedly told not to come to the ground due to “technical issues”.
Hotel staff and transport contractors also began complaining about unpaid bills.
A local cricketer said that their manager said not to report to the stadium, citing “technical issues”. “No one knew what was going on,” he said.
Several international and outstation players left Srinagar, while others were stranded at the Radisson Collection Hotel, unsure whether to leave or stay. Some were even asked to vacate their rooms.
November 2: Organisers vanish overnight
On the morning of November 2, it emerged that the organisers had fled Srinagar overnight, leaving behind unpaid dues estimated between Rs 80–90 lakh. Reports said hotel managements were owed large sums for room bookings, catering and logistics. Bus drivers and event workers also claimed they had not been paid.
Staff at one Srinagar hotel told media outlets that “calls to the organisers went unanswered and the remaining event managers quietly disappeared”.
One player also said that catering vendors and transporters contacted them directly seeking clarity. “They thought we were part of the organising team. Everyone was in panic; no one from management was around,” he said.
November 3: FIR registered, probe launched
On November 3, the Jammu & Kashmir Police confirmed to KNO that a case has been registered under relevant sections of law at Rajbagh Police Station.
A senior police officer said that an FIR has been lodged and a detailed probe is underway to trace the organisers and verify financial transactions to better understand the situation.
November 3, evening: Political reaction and fallout
Soon after the case was filed, political leaders demanded accountability. The BJP’s Kashmir unit sought answers from the government, calling the IHPL a “fraud that has embarrassed Kashmir”.
It is believed the IHPL’s downfall is a setback for Kashmir’s growing sports ecosystem, especially at a time when the valley was emerging as a promising venue for national and international sporting events.
Notably, as the IHPL stands unrecognised by the BCCI or the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), questions are being raised over accountability, financial transparency and player safety in such privately-run tournaments, while no official statement has yet been issued on the matter. (KNO)
