PULWAMA — The second edition of the Royal Premier League (RPL) cricket tournament kicked off under floodlights in Pulwama on August 19, with an estimated 20,000 spectators attending the opening day-and-night matches at the Sports Stadium Pulwama.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para unveiled the tournament trophy. The opening toss was conducted by Tanushree (IPS), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Pulwama.
“Once again, Pulwama is roaring. Lights on, fear off, hearts full of hope,” Para said in a statement. He said the event, founded by Irfan Sarkar, was an attempt to provide youth with a space to come together, celebrate the spirit of the game, and leave behind the area’s past struggles with violence and alienation.
The tournament is building on the reception of its inaugural 2025 edition.
Tournament format
The 2026 tournament features 10 teams from across the Valley, divided into two pools, competing in a 20-over leather-ball format. The league schedule runs from August 19 to August 31, with a total of 24 scheduled matches. Most days feature doubleheaders, starting at 1 pm and 5 pm local time. The top four teams from each pool will advance to crossover quarterfinal matches on August 30 and 31.
Wall collapse and crowd management concerns
The large crowds presented logistical challenges. During the 2025 edition, significant traffic congestion affected the Murran Chowk-to-stadium stretch, and with attendance swelling again this year, residents have urged the district administration and traffic police to implement stronger traffic management and public convenience measures.
On opening night, local authorities struggled to contain the spectator numbers. The situation escalated when a section of a stadium wall collapsed under the weight of the crowd, reportedly leaving six people injured.
Despite the logistical hurdles, local elders and residents said the packed stadium and crowd response reflected a changing narrative in Kashmir, with sports offering youth a platform for aspiration and competition.
