Chandigarh, August 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday inaugurated the state’s first franchise-based Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cricket League, describing it as a major platform for budding cricketers to showcase their talent, gain exposure and progress in the sport.
Organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on the lines of the IPL, the inaugural tournament features six franchise teams and will continue until September 13 at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali. The opening match was played between Amritsar Soormas and Mohali Kings.
Interacting with players and organisers, Mann said the league would allow young cricketers from Punjab to compete at a major level and learn alongside established players.
“Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is being organised to promote cricket in Punjab and provide greater opportunities to talented cricketers to advance in the sport. The league is being organised for the first time by the Punjab Cricket Association on the lines of the IPL,” he said.
Punjab’s cricketing legacy
Mann highlighted Punjab’s contribution to Indian cricket and said the state continues to produce players capable of performing at the highest level.
“Today, it is a matter of immense pride for Punjab that the captains of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams are from Punjab, Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Kaur respectively. As many as 21 players from Punjab are currently playing in the IPL,” he said.
He added that the current Indian men’s team has four players from Punjab — captain Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar.
Recalling the state’s rich cricketing history, the Chief Minister named former India players Lala Amarnath, Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma and Yuvraj Singh among Punjab’s cricket legends. He said the new T20 league would help carry this legacy forward by creating opportunities for the next generation.
Mann also linked the promotion of sports with the government’s campaign against drug abuse.
“Sports is the most lethal weapon against the war on drugs. That is why the state government is laying special thrust on sports and providing youngsters with opportunities to channelise their energy in a positive direction,” he said.
He said 3,100 playgrounds were being constructed across Punjab to strengthen grassroots sporting infrastructure. The state government, he added, has also made its highest-ever budgetary provision for sports to improve facilities and opportunities for athletes.
Khedan Watan Punjab Dian from September 5
Mann further announced that the government’s major sporting event, Khedan Watan Punjab Dian, would be organised from Bathinda on September 5.
“Three generations of players will participate in this sporting event, making it a unique celebration of Punjab’s sporting spirit,” he said.
He said the government’s initiatives were aimed at building a strong sporting culture and ensuring that young people across Punjab have adequate opportunities to pursue excellence in sports.
Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural event.
Sher-e-Punjab T20 League Teams
Six franchises are competing in the inaugural edition, with prominent Punjab cricketers leading the respective teams:
- Fazilka Falcons: Shubman Gill
- Ludhiana Lions: Arshdeep Singh
- Amritsar Soormas: Abhishek Sharma
- Jalandhar Warriors: Prabhsimran Singh
- Mohali Kings: Ramandeep Singh
- Bathinda Royals: Gurnoor Brar
The league also features players including Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat.
More than 450 players from Punjab were part of the player pool, from which 119 were selected through an auction to represent the six franchises.
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