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 who were scheduled to play said they were asked “not to come to the stadium” as “technical issues” had led to the cancellation of matches.
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, clarity on contract and payments.
Meanwhile, matches scheduled for Saturday and today at Bakshi Stadium were too cancelled after players declined to take the field.
Moreover, a senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council told news agency KNO 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 got nothing to do with the event, he added.
When KNO tried to seek a response over the allegations, one of the organisers’ phone numbers was found switched off, while another person handling media communication stated to be “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.
Notably, several international players have already left Srinagar, while many cricketers, primarily from J&K remain lodged at the Radisson Collection Hotel. A players said, on condition of anonymity, that there was uncertainty about the league’s status and they are being asked to remain inside the hotel until the matter is resolved and they 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 J&K cricketer.
As the IHPL stands not recognised by the BCCI or the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), questions are being raised over accountability, financial transparency and the safety of players involved in such privately-run tournaments, while no official statement has came from anyone on the matter—(KNO)
