Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh Attend Launch; 250 Players to Get Platform, Performance to Count for Selection
CHANDIGARH, 3rd August 2026 (Kulbir kalsi): The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officially announced the launch of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League during a press conference held on Sunday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. The event was attended by Indian cricket stars Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh, Punjab Cricket Association Honourary Secretary and member parliament Meet Hayor , and PCA President Amarjeet Singh Mehta.
The league will commence on August 30 and aims to provide a competitive platform for emerging cricketers from across Punjab to showcase their talent. A total of six franchise teams will participate, with 120 players being drafted from a pool of around 250 promising cricketers from different districts of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Shubman Gill said the league would serve as a major opportunity for Punjab’s young cricketers. He congratulated the organisers and said players aspiring to represent Punjab and India would benefit immensely from such a competitive platform. Punjab Sports Minister Meet Hayer said it was a matter of pride that international cricketers like Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh have brought laurels to the state. He added that legends such as Yuvraj Singh have strengthened Punjab’s rich cricketing legacy and that the state continues to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket.
Hayer said the objective of the league is not only to promote established players but also to identify and nurture talented youngsters playing cricket at the district and grassroots levels. He added that selections can be made from any BCCI-recognised tournament, and the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League will also become an important platform for players to prove their abilities. PCA President Amarjeet Singh Mehta said performances in the league would be considered during future player selections, although participation in the league would not be mandatory for selection. He emphasised that overall performance would always remain the primary criterion, but outstanding performances in the league would certainly work in a player’s favour.
He informed that the six franchises will represent Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Fazilka. The tournament will run from August 30 through September, with the semi-finals scheduled for September 12. Two matches will be played each day—one during the day and one under lights.
Each franchise will be allowed to include only one international player in its squad. The tournament schedule has been planned according to the availability of international cricketers to facilitate their participation.
Meet Hayer expressed confidence that just as the Indian Premier League (IPL) has produced several outstanding cricketers for India, the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League will emerge as a strong pathway for Punjab’s talented players to reach the national stage. He also announced that entry for spectators will be free throughout the tournament.
