What began as a promising T20 tournament to promote young cricket talent in Kashmir has ended in controversy. The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), organised by a Mohali-based group, has now been exposed as a major cricket scam after its organisers allegedly fled without paying players, umpires, and hotel dues.
According to reports, West Indies legend Chris Gayle, along with several other international players and foreign umpires, were stranded in a Srinagar hotel after the organisers disappeared without clearing bills worth crores. The players were later rescued with the help of local authorities.
League Not Recognised by BCCI or JKCA
The scandal came to light when it was revealed that the IHPL was not approved by the BCCI or the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). The tournament, which began on October 26 and was supposed to run till November 8, featured eight teams and over 30 former international and domestic players.
Kashmir's cricket scandal: Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) organisers flee in the middle of the tournament without paying players, umpires, support staff and hotel bills. The league had high profile players like Chris Gayle, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Thisara Perera,… pic.twitter.com/cq9o15ZANv
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The event was promoted on a grand scale with billboards featuring names like Chris Gayle, Jesse Ryder, and Shakib Al Hasan, but the excitement didn’t last long. As the organisers failed to pay dues, players refused to take the field, and soon after, the management reportedly vanished overnight.
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Local police have registered a case and started an investigation into the matter. The organisers — identified as members of the “Yuva Society” from Mohali — are accused of cheating players and hotel staff. Sources suggest that the total unpaid amount runs into crores of rupees.
While the players are now safe, the incident has raised serious questions about private cricket leagues operating without official recognition. The fiasco has also reminded cricket fans that not all flashy tournaments promising global stars are as genuine as they appear.
