Udaipur, Nov 04, 2025: The organizers of the T20 Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) being played at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, fled after leaving the players in a Srinagar hotel without paying them, as per media reports. This left several players, including former West Indies star Chris Gayle and some foreign umpires, stranded. However, with help from the local administration, all the players were later able to leave Srinagar safely.

The league, as per media reports, was not recognized by the BCCI or the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). After complaints of irregularities, the police registered a case and started an investigation. Reports say that the unpaid amount is in crores. The tournament was organized by a youth society from Mohali, whose president, Parmindar Singh, and member, Nirmal Sidhu, had widely promoted the event.

A total of 32 former international and Ranji players took part in the league, which was held from October 26 to November 8.

Several Players, Including Chris Gayle, Cheated

Several players, including Chris Gayle, were cheated in the Indian Heaven Premier League. Gayle played three matches in the tournament. Former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar, Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera, South African player Richard Levi, and Oman’s Ayan Khan also took part. Martin Guptill, Moeen Ali, and Shakib Al Hasan were also expected to join later.

Organizers Flee After Booking Hotel Rooms

The organizers of the league had booked over 100 rooms in the posh Rajbagh area of Srinagar until November 9 for the players’ stay. The issue came to light when hotel owners asked players to clear their pending bills. When the organizers were contacted, it was found that they had fled Srinagar. Their phones were also switched off, creating chaos among players and staff.

Government and JKCA Respond

Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma said, “This is not in my knowledge. If anything has happened, strict action will be taken.” The JKCA also clarified that the league organizers had not contacted them or sought any permission. The association confirmed that it had no direct or indirect role in organizing or managing the so-called IHPL tournament.