India, Nov. 3 -- For about a week, the Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) seemed to be going well enough on the field - stars like Chris Gayle were making runs, laughing, bantering with local players - except that there were signs of trouble just beyond the boundary rope. There were hardly any crowds to watch the T20 cricket tournament.

And it all ended abruptly by the end of the week, leaving players like Chris Gayle of the West Indies and Jesse Ryder of New Zealand stranded or unpaid.

Held by a non-government organisation, Yuva Society based in Punjab's Mohali, the IHPL got some logistical backing from the authorities too, such as ensuring security and health emergency facilities.

It began amid fanfare on October 25, and was to end ...