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Kashmir Cricket League Abandoned as Organizers Flee Without Paying Dues
The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) in Indian-administered Kashmir collapsed abruptly on 1 November, leaving players, support staff, and hotel owners unpaid after organizers allegedly departed in the middle of the night, authorities and participants said.
Promising Start Turns to Chaos
The tournament, launched on 25 October by Punjab-based non-profit Yuva Society, initially drew excitement with appearances by international stars like Chris Gayle and Devon Smith. However, after just 12 of the scheduled 21 matches, organizers vanished without explanation, halting the league prematurely.
Local cricketers reported dismal attendance, with crowds as low as 400-500 despite ticket price cuts-far below the projected 25,000-30,000 spectators. The league's president, Ashu Dani, has not responded to requests for comment.
Players and Hotels Left in Financial Limbo
Hotel staff at Srinagar's Radisson Collection, where organizers stayed, told the BBC anonymously that CCTV footage showed them fleeing overnight. The hotel, owed partial payments, said repeated attempts to contact IHPL failed. Meanwhile, English umpire Mellissa Juniper claimed 40 local and overseas players were stranded for hours until British embassy intervention secured their release-though the hotel denied this.
Juniper alleged unpaid dues totaling 5 million rupees ($56,430; £43,210), while former international cricketer Parvez Rasool called the incident "unfortunate" and "disheartening" for aspiring Kashmiri players.
"You can't invite stars like Chris Gayle and then vanish suddenly. This has broken the trust of players, fans, and the local people," said Tahir Hussain, a resident of northern Kashmir.
Official Response and Broader Fallout
Police have registered a case for cheating and breach of trust, launching an investigation. Anshul Garg, Jammu and Kashmir's Divisional Commissioner, stated the administration's role was limited to event permissions but vowed to prevent future incidents.
Local fast bowler Abid Nabi lamented the missed opportunity for players to train alongside international stars, blaming "poor management." The collapse has raised questions about oversight for private sports leagues in the region.
Background: A League Built on Hype
The IHPL featured eight teams from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, blending local and global talent. For weeks, billboards and posters promoted the event, but the abrupt exit of organizers-amid allegations of unpaid bills-has left the cricket community in shock.
