Sher-e-Punjab T20 League: Ramandeep hails platform for village cricketers
Synopsis
India's Punjab is launching its own T20 league — and it comes with a ₹45 lakh per-team auction, six franchises anchored by names like Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh, and a stated mission to put village cricketers on television for the first time. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League could reshape how grassroots Punjab talent reaches the national spotlight.
Key Takeaways
The inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League player auction was held in Chandigarh on 9 August , with more than 450 cricketers going under the hammer.
Each of the six franchises was allocated a team purse of ₹45 lakh .
Marquee players include Shubman Gill , Abhishek Sharma , Arshdeep Singh , Prabhsimran Singh , Ramandeep Singh , and Gurnoor Brar .
The league runs from 30 August to 13 September at the PCA Stadium, Mohali .
PCA president Amarjit Singh Mehta said the league fulfils the Punjab Chief Minister's vision of bringing sport to every village in the state.
Cricketer Ramandeep Singh has backed the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League as a transformative opportunity for grassroots talent across Punjab, saying the tournament will finally put village cricketers on television screens. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the league's player auction held at a hotel in Chandigarh on 9 August.
Ramandeep on Why the League Matters
Speaking to reporters, Ramandeep pointed to a long-standing gap in cricket coverage — one where only the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international fixtures made it to broadcast. 'Earlier, I think, the talent did not get a chance to come on TV because only the IPL and international-level cricket were telecast. Now, with the league initiative started by Punjab Cricket, we are very thankful to the Punjab government and especially the PCA, because they have given us this platform where talent from the villages will be seen on TV,' he said.
Ramandeep, who will represent Mohali Kings as a marquee player, stressed that the league could serve as a vital bridge between the grassroots and the mainstream cricketing circuit.
Auction Details and Team Structure
The player auction saw more than 450 cricketers go under the hammer across six franchises, with each team allocated a purse of ₹45 lakh. The six teams competing in the league are Fazilka Falcons, Amritsar Soormas, Ludhiana Lions, Jalandhar Warriors, Mohali Kings, and Bathinda Royals.
The marquee player lineup reads like a who's who of Punjab cricket. Shubman Gill, India's Test and ODI captain, will lead Fazilka Falcons; all-rounder Abhishek Sharma will turn out for Amritsar Soormas; left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will represent Ludhiana Lions; wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh will play for Jalandhar Warriors; and young pacer Gurnoor Brar will feature for Bathinda Royals.
PCA's Vision for the League
Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjit Singh Mehta described the league as the realisation of a long-held vision. 'This league was the dream of our Chief Minister. He wanted to build a big league for Punjab, and his dream is going to come true today. He wanted to bring sports to every village in Punjab,' Mehta said.
He added that the entire PCA team had worked collectively to bring the league to fruition, noting that it would feature marquee players, icon players, and district-level players within each squad.
Schedule and Venue
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is scheduled to run from 30 August to 13 September, with all matches to be played at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. The opening ceremony is set for 30 August and the closing ceremony on 13 September.
With televised coverage confirmed and established India internationals anchoring each franchise, the league is positioned to give emerging Punjab cricketers their most visible stage yet — and a potential stepping stone to higher-level competitions.
Point of View
Arshdeep, Abhishek Sharma — names capable of pulling genuine viewership. But the more consequential question is whether the league's district-player slots translate into actual pathways to the Ranji Trophy and beyond, or whether they remain a one-season showcase. State leagues have a mixed record on that front; the infrastructure around scouting and follow-up development matters as much as the television exposure itself.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is an inaugural franchise-based T20 cricket tournament organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), featuring six teams and designed to provide a platform for emerging cricketers from across Punjab. It runs from 30 August to 13 September at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
Who are the marquee players in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
The six marquee players are Shubman Gill (Fazilka Falcons), Abhishek Sharma (Amritsar Soormas), Arshdeep Singh (Ludhiana Lions), Prabhsimran Singh (Jalandhar Warriors), Ramandeep Singh (Mohali Kings), and Gurnoor Brar (Bathinda Royals).
How much is each team's auction purse in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
Each of the six franchises has been allocated a team purse of ₹45 lakh for the player auction. More than 450 cricketers were put up for bidding at the auction held in Chandigarh on 9 August.
When and where will the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League be played?
The league will be played from 30 August to 13 September at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 30 August and the closing ceremony for 13 September.
Why did Ramandeep Singh praise the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
Ramandeep Singh said the league fills a critical gap by giving village-level cricketers their first opportunity to appear on television, noting that previously only IPL and international matches received broadcast coverage. He credited the Punjab government and the PCA for creating the platform.
