Chaos Erupts as Organisers Flee Cricket League with Gayle

By Harshit - Nov 03, 2025 07:14 PM
Last updated on Nov 03, 2025 07:14 PM

The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) was supposed to be a celebration of cricket, tourism, and youth empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir — a T20 extravaganza that would bring international stars to the valley and showcase Kashmir’s hospitality to the world. But what began with dazzling lights, social media hype, and celebrity endorsements ended in confusion, unpaid bills, and missing organisers.

By the time the chaos settled, players were stranded, hotels were demanding payment, and the glittering dream of a Kashmiri cricket carnival had evaporated overnight. The league’s organisers, who had promised a new sporting revolution under the banner of the Yuva Society, allegedly fled Srinagar in the middle of the night — leaving behind foreign umpires, international cricketers, and shocked hotel management. What unfolded next was a scene straight out of a sporting scandal — disbelief, anger, and embarrassment.

The IHPL, headlined by cricket giants like Chris Gayle, Jesse Ryder, and Thisara Perera, was meant to put Kashmir on the global cricket map. Instead, it became a cautionary tale about poor planning, unrealistic promises, and failed dreams. Here’s how the league spiraled from grand ambitions to utter chaos within days of its launch.

The Grand Vision and Launch of IHPL

Announced with much fanfare on September 18, the Indian Heaven Premier League was presented as a groundbreaking initiative to promote sports tourism and youth engagement in Jammu and Kashmir. Backed by the Yuva Society, a non-profit organisation, and supported by the J&K Cricket Association, IHPL promised to deliver a festival of cricket that would blend entertainment and regional development.

The organisers claimed the event would attract more than 25,000 spectators daily at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium. A meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg in late October reviewed preparations, confirming the government’s infrastructural support. Former India cricketer and IHPL mentor Surinder Khanna described the league as “a golden opportunity for Kashmir’s youth” and expressed confidence in discovering future stars like Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool.

With eight teams, over 150 players, and 32 international stars confirmed, expectations were sky-high. The event’s promotional videos featured Chris Gayle smiling in Kashmiri attire, promising “a festival of cricket in paradise.” Sponsors were lined up, banners were raised, and local fans looked forward to an unprecedented cricket spectacle.

The Sudden Collapse: Organisers Disappear Overnight

But by Sunday morning, the grandeur turned grim. Bakshi Stadium, once buzzing with music and lights, lay deserted. Around 40 players were stranded in Srinagar hotels — confused, unpaid, and abandoned. The organisers of the IHPL, including key members of the Yuva Society, had allegedly vanished without clearing dues.

“Organisers have fled from the hotel,” said Mellissa Juniper, an English umpire who was part of the event. “They have not paid the hotel, the players, or the umpires. We’ve reached an agreement with the hotel so players can go home. It’s unfair to keep them here away from their families.”

At The Residency Hotel, which hosted most of the participants, staff confirmed that around 150 rooms had been booked by the Yuva Society. A senior official said, “They promised a grand event that would promote tourism and boost Kashmir’s image. But on Sunday morning, we found they had disappeared without paying a single rupee in dues.”

Players Left Stranded and Shocked

For many players, especially those from abroad, the experience was traumatic. Chris Gayle had already checked out the previous night, but several cricketers and match officials remained stranded. Former Indian all-rounder Parvez Rasool said that some players were briefly stopped from leaving until the matter reached foreign embassies.

“An English umpire had to contact the British embassy,” Rasool revealed. “It was an embarrassing situation for all of us. Some local players even tried pooling money to help their foreign teammates travel home.”

According to reports, players were not even provided with proper kits or contracts. A local participant said, “There were no official agreements. They bought uniforms from local markets at the last minute. We didn’t even get confirmation of match payments.” The lack of professionalism and transparency shocked everyone involved.

Financial Mismanagement and Sponsor Exit

Multiple sources claim that the league collapsed due to mismanagement and overestimation. Sponsors reportedly pulled out at the last minute after poor ticket sales and limited television coverage. The organisers had heavily banked on international stars drawing crowds, but only matches featuring Chris Gayle saw any significant turnout.

By the third day, attendance had plummeted, and vendors began demanding advance payments. “They promised full stadiums, but barely 500 people turned up,” said a local vendor. “After that, payments stopped, and everything started falling apart.”

The organisers allegedly misjudged the cost of hosting an event of such magnitude in Kashmir, especially with unpredictable logistics and security arrangements. Without sponsor backing or a proper financial safety net, the IHPL quickly spiraled into insolvency.

Official Response and Investigation

A senior official from the J&K Sports Council stated that IHPL president Ashu Dani had obtained all necessary permissions, including police clearance and stadium booking. “They paid our fee. The government had no role in organising the league,” the official clarified. However, a government press release from October 22 mentioned the administration’s active involvement in reviewing the event’s readiness — raising questions about accountability.

Local authorities have since initiated an inquiry into the disappearance of the organisers. Police sources said a complaint may be filed by affected hotels and participants to recover unpaid dues. The sudden collapse of IHPL has sparked widespread debate about the regulation and oversight of private sports leagues in India.

The Broken Dream of Kashmir’s Cricket Revival

The IHPL was envisioned as a symbol of peace and progress — a way to showcase Kashmir as a destination for international sports. Instead, it left behind disappointment and mistrust. For local players, the experience was bittersweet. “We finally got to play with legends like Chris Gayle,” one cricketer said. “But this mess has ruined our morale. Who will trust such leagues again?”

For many, the fiasco highlights a deeper issue: the lack of proper checks, financial planning, and credible organisers in India’s growing semi-professional cricket circuit. Without institutional oversight, such events risk turning into public embarrassments that damage the very causes they claim to support.

What Lies Ahead for IHPL and Indian Cricket

As investigations continue, questions remain unanswered: Where did the organisers go? How much money was lost? Will players and service providers ever get paid? And can Kashmir’s image as a potential sports hub recover from this blow?

Despite the setback, the spirit of cricket remains unbroken among Kashmir’s youth. Many still hope the region will one day host a legitimate, well-organised tournament that fulfils IHPL’s original vision — promoting peace, opportunity, and the power of sport. But for now, the Indian Heaven Premier League stands as a cautionary tale — a dream that took off under the Himalayan lights and crashed before it could soar.

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