The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) got off to a thrilling start as the Gulmarg Royals secured a convincing 37-run win over the Uri Panthers in the tournament’s inaugural match at Bakshi Stadium on Saturday evening. Batting first, the Royals posted a competitive 142 for 4 in their 20 overs, before their bowlers, led by a sensational spell from local hero Nadeem Dar, dismantled the Panthers’ chase to bundle them out for 105 in just 16 overs.
Organized by the Yuva Society, the IHPL 2025 – themed “Valley of Cricket, Spirit of India” – drew a lively crowd to the Srinagar venue marking a significant boost for regional cricket. Mentored by former India wicketkeeper Surinder Khanna, the league’s opening fixture showcased the blend of international flair and J&K talent that defines the competition.
Royals’ Steady Innings Sets the Tone
Opting to bat under clear autumn skies, the Gulmarg Royals started cautiously on a pitch offering true bounce but subtle seam movement. Openers Gurkeerat Mann and Thisara Perera provided a solid foundation with a 35-run stand before Perera departed for 18. Mann anchored the innings with a patient 32 off 28 balls, but it was middle-order batsman Sarul Kanwar who stole the show, remaining unbeaten on 55 off 44 deliveries – a knock laced with elegant drives and calculated risks that propelled the Royals past 140.
Contributions from Shadab Jakati (20 off 15) and Danish Muzzfer (unbeaten 12) ensured momentum in the death overs, with the Royals finishing at 142 for 4. For the Uri Panthers, the bowling attack, spearheaded by Manpreet Gony and Kulvir Singh, kept things tight early on, conceding just 4 wickets while claiming 2 each – Gony finishing with 2 for 35 in his 4 overs. However, the target proved defendable, setting up a classic T20 contest.
Dar’s Fifer Triggers Panthers’ Collapse
The Panthers’ reply began promisingly, with opener Martin Guptill and Shakib Al Hasan – two of the league’s marquee international signings – forging a 42-run partnership. Guptill fell for 25 off 20 balls, caught attempting a lofted cover drive, but Shakib’s fluent 30 off 28 balls offered hope. Shahbaz Nadeem added a brisk 18, pushing the score to 65 for 3 by the 10th over.
Enter Nadeem Dar, the J&K domestic stalwart, who turned the game on its head with a dream spell of 5 for 7 in just 3.3 overs. The left-arm spinner’s variations – including sharp googlies and arm balls – bamboozled the middle order, dismissing Shakib, Nadeem, Ishan Malhotra (12), and Faizan Rauf (duck) in quick succession. Dar’s figures – the first five-wicket haul in IHPL history – restricted the Panthers to 105 all out, with the lower order offering little resistance.
Panthers captain Shakib Al Hasan reflected post-match, “Credit to Dar; his spell changed everything. We need to regroup quickly.” Earlier, Royals skipper Gurkeerat Mann praised his team’s composure: “Sarul’s innings gave us something to bowl at, and Nadeem’s magic sealed it. This is just the start for IHPL.”
Dar Named Player of the Match
Nadeem Dar’s match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award, a fitting tribute to the local bowler’s emergence on the big stage. His economy of 2.08 and ability to extract turn from the Bakshi surface highlighted the league’s potential to unearth hidden gems from Jammu & Kashmir’s ranks. Sarul Kanwar’s half-century, meanwhile, underscored the batting depth in the Royals’ squad, blending domestic poise with international experience from the likes of Thisara Perera and Christopher Mpofu.
The victory propels the Gulmarg Royals to the top of the early standings in the round-robin format, where each of the eight teams will play five league matches before the top four advance to playoffs. The IHPL, featuring 32 international players across franchises, continues its mission to nurture youth while promoting sports tourism in the Valley – with matches drawing crowds eager to witness stars like Chris Gayle and Imran Tahir in action.
What’s Next for IHPL?
Attention now turns to Match 2 on Sunday, October 26, pitting the Srinagar Sultans against the Pulwama Titans at the same venue. With the tournament running until November 8, fans can catch live coverage on Prasar Bharati and digital platforms, as J&K’s cricketing renaissance unfolds one boundary at a time.
For more updates, follow The Chenab Times for on-ground reports and exclusive interviews from Bakshi Stadium. The IHPL isn’t just a league – it’s a movement, and Gulmarg Royals have set the bar high.
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