Chandigarh, Aug 8 (IANS) Punjab is set to get its own IPL-style T20 league, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday unveiling the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, featuring six franchise teams and star Punjab cricketers, comprising Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh.
The league will be played from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, with more than 450 Punjab players set to enter the auction on August 9, giving emerging talent a major platform alongside established players.
Chief Minister Mann said that Punjab has always produced talented players for the country and that the state government is working continuously to connect young people with sports and further strengthen the state in the sporting arena.
He also highlighted sports as a principal weapon in the campaign against drugs.
Calling the league “Punjab’s own IPL”, CM Mann said, “During a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Cricket Association and national-level players here today, the league will feature six franchise teams.”
“Indian Cricket Team Captain Shubman Gill will represent Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh will play for Ludhiana Lions, Abhishek Sharma for Amritsar Soormaaz, Prabhsimran Singh for Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh for Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar for Bathinda Royals.”
“The players who have brought glory to India will add to the prestige of the tournament. The league will be held from August 30 to September 13, with all matches to be played at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali.”
The Chief Minister also said that Punjab is currently the backbone of the Indian cricket team, with 21 players from the state featuring in the IPL.
“All of them will now be among the major attractions of Punjab’s own league. All players participating in the Punjab Cricket League will be from Punjab.”
He said that a pool of more than 450 players from Punjab has been created, who will participate in the auction on August 9.
The prominent names among these players include Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat.
The league will be played on a round-robin basis, with each team playing eight league matches.
The league will provide young players from Punjab with experience of playing on a major platform.
Likewise, it will give them an opportunity to share the dressing room with established players thereby giving them experience.
–IANS
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