Punjab unveils Sher-e-Punjab T20 league with six franchise teams

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Chandigarh, August 8

Punjab is set to launch its own franchise-based T20 cricket league, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann unveiling the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, which will feature six teams and some of the state’s leading cricketers.

The tournament will be played from 30 August to 13 September at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. More than 450 Punjab-based players will take part in an auction on 9 August, offering emerging cricketers a chance to play alongside established names.

India captain Shubman Gill will represent the Fazilka Falcons, while Arshdeep Singh will play for the Ludhiana Lions. Abhishek Sharma will lead the Amritsar Soormaaz, Prabhsimran Singh will represent the Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh will play for the Mohali Kings and Gurnoor Brar for the Bathinda Royals.

Mann described the tournament as “Punjab’s own IPL”, saying it would give young players a major platform to develop their skills and gain experience.

“Punjab has always produced talented players for the country,” Mann said, adding that his government was working to connect young people with sport and strengthen the state’s sporting culture.

The auction pool includes more than 450 players, among them Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat.

The league will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing eight matches. All players taking part in the competition will be from Punjab, according to the chief minister.

Mann said the league would allow younger cricketers to share dressing rooms with established players, giving them experience of playing in a professional environment.

He also linked the initiative to the state’s campaign against drug abuse, describing sport as a key tool for keeping young people away from drugs.

Punjab, he said, already hosts the annual Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan sporting event and is developing more than 3,100 sports grounds across the state. Punjab is also scheduled to host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy for the first time later this year.

The launch event was attended by Punjab Cricket Association officials, including president Amarjit Mehta, secretary Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and vice-president Deepak Bali.

Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh and Ramandeep Singh presented Mann with a cricket bat and ball during the event.

The new league is expected to give Punjab’s emerging cricketers a more regular competitive platform while bringing the state’s established players closer to the next generation.