India's Cricket League Commits Fraud With International Cricketers

For all of India’s talk of being a foremost body on cricketing principles, one of its own leagues—the Indian Heaven Premier League—has managed to defraud several prominent international cricketers.

The private T20 event, launched in Srinagar with promises of glamour and world-class cricket, collapsed mid-tournament after organisers disappeared overnight, leaving players, officials, and hotels unpaid and stranded.

The IHPL, promoted allegedly by a Mohali-based Yuva Society, kicked off at Bakshi Stadium on October 25, but things quickly spiraled out of control. By the weekend, teams showed up for their matches only to find no organisers, no payments, and no communication. Players soon learned that hotel bills had also been left unpaid, with management refusing to release guests until dues were cleared.

According to reports in foreign media, the IHPL was struggling to attract fans even after slashing ticket prices to around 1 USD. The team owners then decided to flee, abandoning the players after only 13 matches.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have now launched an FIR for cheating and breach of trust, while the J&K Sports Council has distanced itself from the event, insisting it only provided the stadium and had no role in its management.

The Indian Heaven Premier League reportedly managed to attract several well-known players, including Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, and Peter Trego.

As embassies get involved to assist foreign players, the IHPL fiasco has raised serious concerns about the credibility of privately-run cricket tournaments in India. What was meant to be a celebration of cricket in the Valley has instead turned into a cautionary tale—one where mismanagement, empty promises, and lack of oversight have left the sport’s image in tatters.

The Indian Heaven Premier League will forever remain a question mark on India’s cricketing governance.

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