New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ludhiana Lions wicketkeeper-batter Salil Arora believes the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League is providing young cricketers in Punjab with a valuable platform to attract the attention of IPL franchises and take the next step in their careers.
Speaking to IANS, Arora said strong performances in the tournament can open doors to the IPL, while also giving emerging players valuable exposure in a competitive environment.
“This is a very good league. It’s an opportunity for youngsters to play IPL. A strong performance here can lead to an IPL contract,” Arora said.
He added that the presence of IPL and Indian selectors at matches makes the tournament an even bigger opportunity for players looking to make an impression.
“You get experience by playing in a big league like this. And there are selectors who come here, like the IPL selectors and the Indian selectors. So this is a very big opportunity for us,” he said.
Arora has been among Ludhiana’s notable performers in the tournament as the team remains in contention for a semifinal spot. His standout innings include a blistering 78 off 38 balls against Fazilka Falcons.
The young batter said those performances have boosted his confidence and that he wants to carry the momentum into the crucial matches ahead.
“I am getting a lot of confidence from these knocks. So, I will try to carry this momentum forward in the next match. We want to win the next match and play the semifinals,” he said.
Arora, who has represented India at the Under-19 level, is also part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Reflecting on his first IPL season, he said senior players including Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma helped him settle into his role as a finisher.
“They told me beforehand that my role would be as a finisher. And players like Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, they used to back me all the time,” he said.
Arora recalled that the players and coaches continued to encourage him even after a few difficult matches, helping him maintain his confidence.
The Punjab batter now has his sights set on the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he hopes to build on his 358-run haul from the previous edition, when he was Punjab’s leading run-scorer in the domestic T20 competition.
“Yes, I see the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as a strong opportunity. I want to perform there and then go to IPL. And then I want to perform in the IPL and play for the Indian team. This is my dream and my goal,” Arora said.
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