The Indian Heaven Premier League, widely promoted as Kashmir’s version of the Indian Premier League, promised a grand cricketing spectacle that would bring global attention to the Valley. With major international names such as Chris Gayle and Jesse Ryder, as well as former Indian stars like Praveen Kumar, involved, it appeared to mark a significant turning point for sports in the region. Yet the ambitious tournament collapsed abruptly when the organisers reportedly disappeared halfway through, leaving behind unpaid dues, unanswered questions, and an escalating political storm.
Initially, the event was celebrated as a milestone for Kashmir’s sporting landscape. The tournament began with great enthusiasm on October 25 at the historic Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. It was hosted by the Mohali-based Yuva Society, a non-profit organisation, and was seen as being supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council. For a brief time, the cricket-loving public in Kashmir believed they were witnessing the birth of their own marquee league, similar in spirit to the IPL, with world-famous athletes gracing their grounds.
Star cricketers from around the world arrived in the Valley, bringing glamour and excitement. Chris Gayle, Jesse Ryder, Australia’s Shaun Marsh, along with several former Indian cricketers, drew huge curiosity and generated optimism that Kashmir was being carved onto India’s cricket map. For many locals, especially young cricket enthusiasts, this felt like a dream opportunity to watch global icons in person. International umpires and technical officials were flown in from England to lend credibility to the event, and eight teams representing major regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh were announced.
However, beneath the surface, organisational cracks were visible almost from the start. Ticket prices, reportedly exceeding ₹1,000, discouraged many spectators, leading to disappointing attendance. Media reports pointed to logistical inefficiencies and claims that a few sponsors backed out unexpectedly. Although the matches featuring Chris Gayle initially attracted energetic crowds, issues soon compounded.
The first major red flag appeared on November 1, when a scheduled match between Uri Panthers and Gulmarg Royals was abruptly called off without a clear explanation. The following morning, chaos erupted. Players and foreign officials staying at a prominent Srinagar hotel discovered that the organisers had allegedly vanished after failing to settle accommodation and operational expenses. Hotel management refused to let the guests leave due to unpaid bills, effectively trapping the athletes and officials inside until government intervention secured their release.
One of the foreign umpires, Melissa Juniper from the England and Wales Cricket Board, publicly stated that the organisers’ phones had been switched off since the previous day, and that no payments had been made to players, match officials, staff, or service providers. Catering and transport partners also alleged they had not received their dues.
This dramatic unraveling triggered intense political fallout. The BJP criticised the administration led by Omar Abdullah for failing to verify the credentials and capability of the organisers before allowing them access to such a major stadium and platform. Opponents questioned how individuals with no significant history in organising large-scale sports events were allowed to host a tournament of this scale in a government-associated facility.
The administration, attempting to distance itself from the embarrassment, insisted the event was privately organised. Yet the fact that it was inaugurated by the J&K Sports Minister and attended by officials from the Sports Council raised further scrutiny. As the controversy deepened, police registered a criminal case against the organisers, initiating an investigation under relevant IPC sections.
BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur condemned the incident, saying it damaged Kashmir’s reputation at a time when the region was recovering from the fear triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack months earlier. He argued that the fiasco had betrayed the hopes of local youth who dream of pursuing careers in cricket and highlighted the responsibility of authorities to safeguard Kashmir’s image and opportunities.
In response, the ruling administration reiterated that the IHPL was not a government event and assured that the police would thoroughly investigate the matter and bring clarity. For now, the league that once symbolised new sporting possibilities in Kashmir has instead become a cautionary tale of poor oversight, unfulfilled promises, and shattered trust.
