Unpaid Players, Cancelled Matches Land IHPL into Crisis

SRINAGAR: The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) T20 being played in Srinagar, featuring international, national and local cricketers from across the Valley, has been thrown into “complete disarray” after several players reportedly boycotted matches over unpaid dues, leaving the high-profile private cricket event in turmoil.

While players have expressed unwillingness to continue in the league, many scheduled to play said they were told “not to come to the stadium” because “technical issues” had led to the cancellation of matches.

According to details, multiple players, including both local and outstation cricketers, have refused to play after payments promised by the league organisers allegedly failed to materialise.

Earlier, a Valley-based cricketer announced that he would not participate in the ongoing league, citing irregularities and a lack of clarity regarding contracts and payments.

Meanwhile, matches scheduled for Saturday and today at Bakshi Stadium were also cancelled after players declined to take the field.

Moreover, a senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council said that the Council has nothing to do with the league, as it is a privately-run event.

The official said they had only provided the ground, for which charges were applied as per the Council’s norms. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has nothing to do with the event, he added.

While trying to seek a response over the allegations, one of the organisers’ phone numbers was found switched off, while another person handling media communication stated he was “confused” and unaware of what was happening with the league.

One player whose match was scheduled for today said he was told not to report to the ground due to “technical issues.”

“My match was scheduled for today, and when I called my manager to ask about it, he told me not to come to the stadium as there were some technical problems,” a participating player said.

Moreover, after trying to contact seven players, four responded, while calls to three others went unanswered. All those who responded said they were confused about what was actually happening in the league and that they were at home after receiving instructions that today’s match had been cancelled due to “technical issues.”

Notably, several international players have already left Srinagar, while many cricketers, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir, remain lodged at the Radisson Collection Hotel. A player said, on condition of anonymity, that there was uncertainty about the league’s status and that they are being asked to remain inside the hotel until the matter is resolved and are “not” allowed to move outside.

Adding to the crisis, one player said that calls were also received from catering staff, bus drivers and others claiming they too had not been paid. “They said they are also in confusion and fear they won’t get their money. We heard that some organisers may have left the hotel late last night,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that the league was promoted and amplified by a known Jammu and Kashmir cricketer. (KNO)