Punjab launches Sher-e-Punjab T20 League with six franchises

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced the launch of the 'Sher-e-Punjab T20 League,' a new cricket tournament modeled after the Indian Premier League (IPL). The league is scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali.

The tournament will feature six franchise teams. Notable Indian cricketers will represent specific teams, including Shubman Gill for the Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh for the Ludhiana Lions, Abhishek Sharma for the Amritsar Suraj, Prabhsimran Singh for the Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh for the Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar for the Bathinda Royals.

A player auction is set for August 9, with a pool of over 450 players expected to participate. The league will follow a round-robin format, where each team will play eight league matches. Chief Minister Mann stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the state's sporting presence and engage youth in sports as a tool against drug abuse.