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Indian Heaven Premier League ft. Gayle, Guptill, halt midway over unpaid hotel bills

Soumyajit Dutta

Chris Gayle playing IHPL [Source: @JKSportstime/X.com]Chris Gayle playing IHPL [Source: @JKSportstime/X.com]

The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), which featured star attractions such as former West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, has been suspended midway after the management reportedly failed to clear the players’ and umpires’ dues, leaving them stranded with unpaid bills.

The league, promoted by the J&K Sports Council, began on October 25 at Bakshi Stadium, with the final originally scheduled for November 8. As per the format, eight teams were to compete in 27 matches, and around 70 cricketers, along with umpires and staff, were accommodated at the Radisson Collection Hotel in Srinagar.

Players left stranded at the hotel with unpaid bills

Several players, including national and international names, along with umpires such as Mel Juniper and Praveen Kumar, were not allowed to leave the hotel due to pending payments. Some managed to exit after multiple calls and negotiations, but others remained stuck as the management allegedly abandoned their financial responsibilities.

Mel Juniper expressed disappointment over the situation while speaking to reporters from inside the hotel premises. 

"The league hasn't paid any bills. They haven't paid players, umpires, staff or the hotel. They (League management) had told the hotel to hold the players within the building. The league management is nowhere to be seen and they are not even receiving our calls. We can't play till our dues are cleared," Juniper commented.

Organizing body's secretary shakes off allegations

Notably, the IHPL was organised by the Mohali-based Yuva Society, whose secretary, Nuzhat Gul, attended the inaugural function and the opening match. Gul, however, distanced herself from the issue, claiming that the mismanagement had no connection with the J&K Sports Council or the state government.

"Officially, this league has nothing to do with the government or Sports Council. They had booked Bakhshi stadium for the matches and paid for that. I can get invites from anyone... that doesn't prove any association or impact my credibility in any way," Gul told ET.

Featuring prominent players such as Martin Guptill, Chris Gayle, Shakib Al Hasan, and Jaydev Unadkat, the league came to an abrupt halt. The last completed fixture was between the Pulwama Titans and Kishtwar Giants. All remaining matches scheduled from November 1 to November 8 have been declared abandoned.