Night cricket draws thousands to Pulwama for Royal Premier League opener
Hundreds of residents stayed late on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to watch the opening match of the Royal Premier League Pulwama in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. The match was played under floodlights and families brought food and remained into the night.
Under-lights cricket has been described as a cathartic change in a district long affected by violence. "The scenes at the stadium in Pulwama were unprecedented. It has provided a platform to locals to laugh and smile. It’s also an act to bring positivity. Kashmir’s youths are witness to the misery in the past. This is a small effort to give them a chance to be happy and hopeful," Pulwama legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra told The Hindu.
Irfan Sarkar, a local youth who helped mobilise sponsorship, has provided digital boards, replays on live screens, social media streaming and commentary for the tournament. "It’s the 2nd Edition of the Royal Premier League Pulwama. Ten teams will play all their games under floodlights, which allows locals to attend matches after sundown. Around 20,000 attended the first match. They were cheering, drumming and celebrating every moment together," said Mr. Sarkar.
Pulwama has experienced repeated unrest in recent years, including street uprisings in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2016. Scores of civilians died and many local youths took to militancy after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir in 2016. The district has also been subject to raids by the National Investigation Agency, the State Investigation Agency and the J&K Police.
Organisers and local business owners reported an immediate economic effect from evening matches, with food outlets staying open later than usual. "Chicken items are selling like hot cakes. It’s rare to see customers after 10 p.m. in the district," said Niyaz Ahmad, a local eatery owner, describing sales into midnight.
Tournament supporters and local leaders say the nights have a developmental dimension for players as well as a social one. Mr. Parra said he sees night cricket taking cricketing talent to a new level and added: "It allows sports lovers to exhibit their talent and perform under pressing conditions of crowds. It will help players to grow mentally tough." Organisers and attendees noted that, over the past two years, cricket has acted as a healing process for many residents.
The competition is the second edition of the Royal Premier League Pulwama and will feature ten teams playing all their matches under floodlights, with the digital infrastructure and live streaming supplied by local sponsors.