Srinagar T20 League featuring Chris Gayle collapses after organisers vanish
The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a T20 event in Jammu and Kashmir, came to a sudden halt after organisers reportedly vanished, leaving behind unpaid hotel bills and confusion among players and staff.
The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a T20 tournament held in Jammu and Kashmir, came to an abrupt end over the weekend after a major controversy. Reports suggest that the event organisers vanished without clearing hotel bills and other dues, leaving players and staff stranded.
The competition had promised an exciting lineup, featuring international stars like Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill, and Thisara Perera, alongside several Indian domestic players. However, the excitement quickly turned into chaos when the scheduled matches on Sunday were suddenly called off.
With organisers unreachable, nearly 40 players found themselves stuck in a Srinagar hotel, uncertain about their payments and next steps. What was expected to be a grand cricketing event highlighting the beauty of Kashmir turned into a tale of confusion and mismanagement, raising serious questions about the tournament’s planning and accountability.
IHPL T20 in Kashmir Abruptly Ends Amid Major Controversy:
An English umpire, Mellissa Juniper said, “ Organisers have fled from the hotel. 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.”
According to staff at The Residency Hotel, the organisers had promoted the Indian Heaven Premier League as a major cricketing event for Jammu and Kashmir. They had booked around 150 rooms for a ten-day stay, showcasing the scale and ambition of the much-hyped tournament.
As per TOI, an official said, “ They promised a grand event with stars like Chris Gayle to boost Kashmiri tourism. On Sunday morning, we found they had disappeared without clearing dues.”
A few players, including Chris Gayle, left the hotel on Saturday after noticing irregularities with the organisers and the event’s management. Former India cricketer Parvez Rasool mentioned that several participants also experienced travel delays, adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Heaven Premier League. He said, “ An English umpire had to contact the British embassy.”
Announced on September 18, the tournament generated excitement across Jammu and Kashmir. Team mentor Surinder Khanna described it as a “great opportunity for the region’s youth,” expressing hope that the event would help discover emerging talents similar to Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool from the valley.
Although big names like Chris Gayle initially drew some spectators, the crowd numbers soon dropped significantly. This decline forced organisers to reduce ticket prices, which in turn caused sponsorship troubles and several other challenges, adding to the growing issues surrounding the Indian Heaven Premier League.
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