Sher-e-Punjab T20 League: 450 players, 6 franchises, starts Aug 30
Synopsis
Punjab is launching its own IPL-style franchise tournament — the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League — with Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and four other India internationals anchoring six city-based teams. Over 450 Punjab players enter an auction on 9 August, making this the most ambitious state cricket league the state has attempted, and a direct pipeline from domestic talent to franchise experience.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann unveiled the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League on 8 August , featuring six franchise teams .
The league runs from 30 August to 13 September at the PCA Stadium, Mohali .
More than 450 Punjab players will enter the franchise auction on 9 August .
Shubman Gill (Fazilka Falcons), Arshdeep Singh (Ludhiana Lions), and Abhishek Sharma (Amritsar Soormaaz) headline the six teams.
All participants must be Punjab-domiciled; each team plays eight league matches in a round-robin format.
Punjab has 21 active IPL players from the state, according to CM Mann.
Punjab is set to host its own IPL-style franchise cricket tournament, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday, 8 August officially unveiling the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League — a six-team competition featuring marquee Punjab cricketers including Indian cricket team captain Shubman Gill and pacer Arshdeep Singh. The league runs from 30 August to 13 September at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, with a pool of more than 450 Punjab players heading into an auction on 9 August.
Six Franchises, Six Punjab Cities
Each of the six franchise teams is anchored by a prominent Punjab cricketer. Shubman Gill will represent Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh will turn out for Ludhiana Lions, and Abhishek Sharma will lead Amritsar Soormaaz. Prabhsimran Singh is assigned to Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh to Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar to Bathinda Royals.
The format will follow a round-robin structure, with each side playing eight league matches before the knockout stages. All fixtures will be held at the PCA Cricket Stadium, Mohali.
Auction Pool and Emerging Talent
More than 450 players from across Punjab are set to enter the franchise auction on 9 August. Notable names in the pool include Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar, and Krish Bhagat. The league is restricted exclusively to Punjab-domiciled players, giving domestic talent a rare opportunity to share a dressing room with international stars.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Mann described the league as 'Punjab's own IPL', saying the state has consistently produced talent for the national side. He noted that Punjab currently has 21 players from the state active in the IPL — a figure he said underscores the state's cricketing depth. Mann also positioned the league as part of a broader state government push to channel youth energy into sports, explicitly citing sport as a key instrument in Punjab's campaign against drug abuse.
'The players who have brought glory to India will add to the prestige of the tournament,' Mann said at a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) and national-level players in Chandigarh.
Wider Significance
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League follows a growing trend of state-level franchise tournaments — similar models have been adopted in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra — aimed at bridging the gap between domestic red-ball cricket and the high-intensity franchise environment of the IPL. For Punjab, with its outsized contribution to Indian cricket, a home league offers a structured pathway for players who might otherwise wait years for a national call-up. Whether the league sustains beyond its inaugural edition will depend on broadcast interest, franchise investment, and the PCA's administrative bandwidth.
Point of View
But its long-term credibility will hinge on execution rather than star power. State franchise leagues elsewhere have struggled with broadcaster apathy and thin sponsorship once the novelty fades. Punjab's genuine depth — 21 IPL players is not a trivial number — gives this tournament a stronger foundation than most, but the government's dual framing of the league as both a sporting platform and an anti-drug initiative risks muddling the commercial pitch. The more interesting test is whether the auction mechanism genuinely surfaces new talent or simply redistributes visibility among names already known to selectors.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is a state-level IPL-style franchise cricket tournament launched by the Punjab government. It features six city-based teams, runs from 30 August to 13 September at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, and is restricted to Punjab-domiciled players.
Which cricketers are playing in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League?
India captain Shubman Gill leads Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh plays for Ludhiana Lions, Abhishek Sharma for Amritsar Soormaaz, Prabhsimran Singh for Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh for Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar for Bathinda Royals.
When is the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League player auction?
The player auction is scheduled for 9 August, with a pool of more than 450 Punjab players set to be bid upon by the six franchise teams.
Where will the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League matches be played?
All matches will be held at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, from 30 August to 13 September.
Why did the Punjab government launch this league?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the league aims to provide emerging Punjab talent with a high-profile platform and experience alongside established internationals. He also cited sport as a key tool in the state's campaign against drug abuse.
