Amritsar Soormas were crowned the inaugural champions of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League on 14 September 2026, dismantling Ludhiana Lions by eight wickets in the final at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Chasing 143, the Soormas cantered home at 144/2 in just 16.4 overs — with a full 20 balls to spare — to write their names into the record books as the tournament's first-ever title holders.

How the Chase Unfolded

The run chase was never in doubt once Naman Dhir launched into the Lions' bowling. The Soormas' captain hammered 29 off just 12 balls, including four sixes, to immediately neutralise the target. Sahaj Dhawan then took charge, providing the composed backbone the innings needed with an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls. Rahul Kumar completed the formalities, finishing unbeaten on 42 off 30 deliveries as Amritsar swept to victory with complete authority.

Markande Shines with the Ball

The platform for the title win was laid by the Soormas' disciplined bowling effort in the first innings. Ludhiana Lions were held to 142/10 in their allotted 20 overs, with leg-spinner Mayank Markande emerging as the standout performer. His figures of 3/17 earned him the Player of the Match award in the final, underlining how the Soormas combined batting aggression with bowling accuracy on the biggest occasion of the tournament.

Dhir's Tournament-Defining Campaign

While the final belonged to the collective, Dhir's series-long dominance with the bat was the defining narrative of Amritsar's title run. The captain was rewarded with the Player of the Series honour after a campaign of extraordinary striking power. He hammered 173 runs off just 64 balls during the league stage, followed by a blistering 91 off 37 deliveries in the semifinal to propel the Soormas into the final. His capacity to reset the required run rate within the first few overs repeatedly gave Amritsar's deep batting line-up the freedom to operate without pressure.

Significance of the Inaugural Title

The Sher-E-Punjab T20 League adds another state-level franchise competition to India's growing domestic T20 calendar, providing a competitive platform for Punjab's rich pool of cricketing talent. Amritsar's triumph was built on a clear strategic identity — explosive top-order batting anchored by Dhir and clinical bowling from Markande — a blueprint that never wavered across the tournament. Notably, the final margin of victory reflected the gulf in class that had developed between the two finalists over the course of the competition.

With the inaugural edition complete, attention will now shift to whether the league can sustain its momentum into the next cycle and attract the depth of talent needed to grow its national profile.