Punjab Cricket Association launches franchise hunt for IPL-style Punjab T20 League to nurture young talent

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has initiated the process of launching a franchise-based T20 tournament on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL), issuing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to invite corporate houses, companies and business groups to own teams for the inaugural edition of the ‘Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab T20 League’.

The proposed league, expected to debut in 2026, is aimed at creating a structured platform for emerging cricketers from across Punjab while strengthening the state’s talent pipeline for domestic and international cricket.

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In its official announcement, the PCA showcased several prominent Punjab and India cricketers, including Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Harpreet Brar and Ramandeep Singh, underscoring the league’s focus on promoting home-grown talent.

According to the EOI document, franchise rights will initially be awarded for five years, with a provision for a further five-year extension, taking the total tenure to 10 seasons.

“The objective of the league is to identify and develop cricketing talent from every corner of Punjab through a structured franchise-based competition and create a pathway for players to compete at higher levels,” the PCA said in the EOI.

The association further said the tournament has been named after ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh’, popularly known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab’, and will feature franchises representing different regions of the state, including Majha, Malwa and Doaba.

The EOI also states that the PCA reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without assigning reasons, adding that the final decision on franchise allotment will rest solely with the Chairman of the PCA Governing Council.

The association said the league is being planned with the support of the Punjab government, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCA. Besides promoting competitive cricket, the initiative is also expected to complement the state’s campaign to encourage youth participation in sports and provide an alternative avenue for young people through organised cricket.

The PCA International Cricket Stadium at Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, has been identified as the league’s principal venue, while cricket infrastructure is also being strengthened in Jalandhar and Amritsar to support the tournament and future development programmes.