Punjab’s cricketing map is about to get its own T20 battleground. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, launched by the Punjab Cricket Association, brings together six franchises representing different regions of the state, with some of Punjab’s biggest contemporary cricket names placed at the centre of the competition. More than just another short-format tournament, the league is being positioned as a pathway for the state’s emerging cricketers to move from local and domestic cricket towards the Punjab and India setup.
Six Teams, Six Marquee Faces
The inaugural season will feature Fazilka Falcons, Amritsar Soormas, Ludhiana Lions, Jalandhar Warriors, Mohali Kings and Bathinda Royals. Each franchise has been assigned a marquee player, creating six headline combinations that give the tournament an immediate identity.
Fazilka Falcons — Shubman Gill:
India’s Test and ODI captain will lead the marquee-player list for Fazilka. Gill’s association gives the franchise a major pull, while his connection with Fazilka makes the team particularly significant for the region.
Amritsar Soormas — Abhishek Sharma:
The explosive left-handed batter and IPL star becomes the marquee face of Amritsar. His attacking style could make the Soormas one of the tournament’s most-watched sides.
Ludhiana Lions — Arshdeep Singh:
India’s left-arm pace spearhead brings international experience to the Ludhiana franchise. His presence gives the Lions a bowling identity even before the competition begins.
Jalandhar Warriors — Prabhsimran Singh:
The wicketkeeper-batter represents Jalandhar and brings valuable experience from Punjab and the IPL environment. For Jalandhar, his presence also creates a direct connection between the franchise and the city’s cricketing culture.
Mohali Kings — Ramandeep Singh:
The versatile all-rounder becomes the marquee face of Mohali. His ability to contribute in multiple departments makes him an important player around whom the franchise can build.
Bathinda Royals — Gurnoor Brar:
The young fast bowler represents Bathinda, giving the franchise a player who embodies the league’s larger purpose — providing Punjab’s next generation with a bigger platform.
Sanvir Singh Steals the Auction Spotlight
While the marquee players were already assigned at a fixed price of ₹10 lakh each, the player auction produced its own headline. Ludhiana all-rounder Sanvir Singh became the highest-priced player in the first half of the auction, with Fazilka Falcons acquiring him for a staggering ₹13.20 lakh.
The figure is significant because Sanvir’s base price was ₹1.50 lakh — meaning his final price was more than eight times his starting value. He will now share the Fazilka dressing room with Shubman Gill, turning the franchise into one of the most intriguing combinations of established leadership and emerging talent.
The auction also saw Naman Dhir go to Amritsar Soormas for ₹10.80 lakh, while Amolpreet Singh was picked by Mohali Kings for ₹8.20 lakh. Bathinda Royals secured Harnoor Singh and Ashwani Kumar for ₹7 lakh each, while Jalandhar Warriors bought Sukhdeep Bajwa for ₹6 lakh.
A ₹45-Lakh Purse and a New Model
The franchises have been given a ₹45-lakh salary purse, with marquee players priced at ₹10 lakh and icon players carrying a base price of ₹1.50 lakh. Squads can comprise up to 20 players. The structure is designed to create a mix of established names, domestic performers and younger players.
That balance could become the league's biggest strength. A teenager from a Punjab district may now find himself sharing a dressing room with Gill, Abhishek, Arshdeep or Prabhsimran. The lessons that happen away from the television cameras — training, preparation, reading the game and handling pressure — could prove as valuable as the matches themselves.
More Than Six Franchises
The real competition in Sher-e-Punjab is therefore not simply Fazilka versus Amritsar or Jalandhar versus Ludhiana. It is Punjab’s attempt to build a stronger bridge between grassroots cricket and the professional game.
The league will feature 27 matches, with the tournament scheduled from August 30 to September 13 at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in Mohali/New Chandigarh.
For fans, it offers six teams to rally behind. For established stars, it offers another stage to represent their state. But for the hundreds of young cricketers hoping to break through, Sher-e-Punjab could represent something much bigger — a chance to be noticed.
