Amritsar Soormas head coach Sandeep Sawal has attributed the team's maiden victory in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026 to a collective reset in mindset, as the side gears up to face Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday. The Soormas, who had lost their opening two games, bounced back with a commanding seven-wicket win over Fazilka Falcons to open their points tally in the tournament.

The Turning Point: A Pledge Before the Match

Sawal revealed that the team's turnaround began in the dressing room, where the coaching staff and players confronted their difficult start head-on. The group made a visible, collective commitment before stepping onto the field against Fazilka.

'After losing our first two matches, it was important for the players to come together, believe in themselves and be clear about what we wanted to achieve on the field. So, we wrote 'We will win' on the board and asked everyone who believed in it to stand together. Every player agreed, and that belief translated onto the field. We went out there with one mindset, and we got the win,' Sawal said.

Dhir and Choudhary Power the Chase

The response from the batters was emphatic. Chasing the Fazilka Falcons total, Naman Dhir anchored the innings with an unbeaten 88 off 48 balls, while Abhay Choudhary contributed an equally impressive not-out 58 from 35 deliveries. Together, the pair steered Amritsar to a seven-wicket victory with authority.

Dhir's form has been the standout story of Amritsar's campaign so far. The batter currently leads the Orange Cap standings with 252 runs from just three matches, making him the player most likely to define the Soormas' prospects against Bathinda.

Key Players to Watch Against Bathinda

Captain Abhishek Sharma is expected to provide his customary aggressive intent at the top of the order, while Choudhary will aim to carry forward the confidence built on his match-winning knock. The Soormas also have Sahaj Dhawan, Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu, and Mayank Markande as potential game-changers in the contest.

Bathinda Royals, however, will not be straightforward opponents. Uday Saharan, Gurnoor Brar, Harnoor Singh, Gourav Choudhary, and Ashwani Kumar form a competitive unit capable of testing any side in the league.

What Amritsar Must Do Next

For Sawal's side, the challenge is now one of consistency. A single breakthrough win, while welcome, means little unless followed up — and the Soormas will be aware that their campaign needs a second consecutive victory to stay relevant in the standings. Having established a formula rooted in shared belief and tactical clarity, Amritsar will look to prove that their win over Fazilka was a statement, not an anomaly.