Unpaid hotel bills, organisers vanish: How Indian Heaven Premier League in Srinagar left players like Chris Gayle stranded

A T20 cricket league in Jammu & Kashmir collapsed dramatically over the weekend after its organisers allegedly slipped out of Srinagar at midnight, leaving unpaid hotel bills, confused players, and stunned staff behind. International stars including Chris Gayle, Martin Guptil, Jesse Ryder, and Thisara Perera had been part of the Indian Heaven Premier League, but by Sunday Bakshi Stadium stood empty and about 40 players remained stuck without payments or clarity, a TOI report stated.

'Organisers have fled from the hotel'

Players and officials said they suddenly realised the organisers were gone when hotel bills and dues went unpaid.
“Organisers have fled from the hotel,” said Mellissa Juniper, an English umpire. “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, where most players stayed, a senior official recalled how arrangements had started with grand promises. “They promised a grand event with stars like Chris Gayle to boost Kashmiri tourism,” the official said. “On Sunday morning, we found they had disappeared without clearing dues. Some players, including Gayle, had already checked out Saturday.”

Embassy calls, stalled exits, and confusion

Former India cricketer Parvez Rasool said some players even faced travel delays. “An English umpire had to contact the British embassy,” he said, adding that a few players were initially stopped from leaving until negotiations began.

A top domestic player said the tournament seemed to stumble from day one. “They gave us a rare chance to share dressing rooms with international cricketers,” he said. “But sponsors likely pulled out at the last moment, and with low turnout, they ran out of funds. On the first day, there were no uniforms. They bought them locally. No player contracts were signed.”

The league was organised by Yuva Society, a non-profit, alongside J&K Cricket Association. A J&K Sports Council official said they only provided police clearance and infrastructure. “They paid our fee. Govt had no role in organising the league,” the official said. “We don’t know why it collapsed midway.”

However, a government press note from October 22 had shown administrative involvement, with divisional commissioner Anshul Garg chairing a meeting “to take first-hand appraisal of IHPL readiness,” and predicting a turnout of 25,000–30,000 fans.

Big promises, thin crowds

Announced on September 18, IHPL was pitched as a major push for youth development and sports tourism. Mentor Surinder Khanna had earlier called it “a golden opportunity for Kashmir’s youth” and promised to “find the next Umran Malik or Parvez Rasool”.

The league advertised 32 former international players and eight teams, planning matches from October 23 to November 7. Gayle’s outings drew crowds, but attendance reportedly dipped sharply afterwards. Ticket rates were slashed, sponsors allegedly backed out, and the tournament went from glitzy launch to sudden blackout.

Dream ends under the night sky

By the time players woke up Sunday, reality had eclipsed the hype. Bills went unpaid, organisers vanished, and the cricket carnival ended without notice. Phones of key organisers went unanswered, including Khanna and the divisional commissioner.

For now, the only thing left of India’s first “Heaven” league is an empty stadium, a hotel trying to settle costs, and cricketers heading home with memories of an event that ended faster than a T20 powerplay.