Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will headline the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League after being named among the competition’s marquee players, giving the new tournament a major boost even before a ball is bowled.
Gill will represent Fazilka Falcons, while Abhishek has been assigned to Amritsar Soormas as the Punjab Cricket Association looks to bring some of the state’s biggest cricketing names closer to the next generation of players.
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Their presence, alongside Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar, means the tournament will feature several players with Indian or IPL experience.
Marquee Players of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League
- Shubman Gill – Fazilka Falcons
- Abhishek Sharma – Amritsar Soormas
- Arshdeep Singh – Ludhiana Lions
- Prabhsimran Singh – Jalandhar Warriors
- Ramandeep Singh – Mohali Kings
- Gurnoor Brar – Bathinda Royals
The league will feature six teams and 27 matches from August 30 to September 13.
The tournament was officially launched at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, with the league aiming to create a stronger pathway for emerging cricketers from Punjab. Gill, who hails from Fazilka, believes the competition can help uncover players capable of eventually representing Punjab and India.
“Punjab has always produced outstanding cricketers, and I believe this league will help discover many more,” Gill said at the launch.
The India captain also reflected on his own journey and credited his father for helping him pursue cricket. Gill said his family runs a cricket academy in their village where children from nearby areas receive free coaching.
GILL, ABHISHEK TO LIGHT UP PUNJAB LEAGUE
The presence of Gill and Abhishek gives the new competition two players who have already made significant marks in Indian cricket.
Gill enjoyed a strong IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 462 runs from 288 balls at a strike rate of 160.42, according to recent season data. His improved tempo has been one of the major talking points around his T20 batting, with the right-hander raising his scoring rate while retaining his consistency.
Abhishek, meanwhile, was one of the most explosive batters in IPL 2026. The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener finished the season with 563 runs in 14 matches at a staggering strike rate of 206, including an unbeaten 135.
The league will follow a round-robin format, with each franchise allowed one marquee player and at least two icon players. Teams will have a salary purse of Rs 45 lakh and can assemble squads of up to 20 players.
With six Punjab-based franchises competing, the PCA hopes the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League can become more than another domestic T20 tournament. The bigger ambition is to create a platform where young cricketers can learn directly from established stars and use the competition as a stepping stone towards higher-level cricket.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
