Everything about Punjab's premier state T20 tournament — teams, schedule, format, venue, marquee players, head-to-head history, betting markets, and 55+ FAQs. PCA's franchise-model upgrade explained.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is the Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) official state T20 franchise league. Launched in July 2023, the tournament was designed to fill the talent development gap for Punjab's domestic cricketers — providing a high-quality competitive T20 environment between national domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
Punjab has a proud cricket heritage — producing national greats like Kapil Dev, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup represents the modern PCA's commitment to continuing that tradition of excellence by giving the next generation of Punjab cricketers a structured franchise platform.
Season 1 (2023) was played at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali with 6 teams in a selector-assigned format. Season 2 (2024) continued at Mohali with corporate-sponsored team names. For Season 3 (2026), the tournament takes a dramatic leap forward — moving to the brand-new Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium at Mullanpur and upgrading to a full franchise auction model with 8 teams, making it one of the most ambitious state T20 leagues in India.
Season 2 (2024) featured six teams at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali. BLV Blasters were crowned champions, beating Trident Stallions in the final.
In the Season 2 Final (June 27, 2024), BLV Blasters beat Trident Stallions by 4 wickets in 19.4 overs, chasing 204. Trident Stallions posted 204/5 and appeared on course to win before BLV Blasters' batting lineup produced a stunning chase, finishing at 205/6. It was one of the tournament's most exciting finishes and confirmed BLV Blasters as worthy champions.
In the semi-finals, BLV Blasters thrashed JK Super Strikers by 53 runs — posting an enormous 224/6 in 20 overs before skittling JK Super Strikers for 171 in 18.5 overs. Trident Stallions reached the final through the other semi-final.
The 2026 Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is not just another season — it is a complete structural reinvention of the tournament, modelled on the IPL's franchise success.
For the first time in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup's history, teams in 2026 will be privately owned franchises. PCA will invite corporate entities and investors to bid for franchise rights, then conduct an open player auction where franchise managements bid competitively for Punjab's domestic cricketers. Base prices will be set by PCA. This eliminates the selector-assignment model of Seasons 1 and 2 and creates genuine stakeholder investment in team success.
The 2026 edition is planned to expand from 6 to 8 teams, increasing the total match count, competitive depth, and broadcast value. Eight teams allow for a more robust league stage with more head-to-head matchups before the knockout phase.
Season 3 moves from IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh). This world-class facility — already proven during IPL 2026's Punjab Kings home matches — offers superior playing conditions, spectator facilities, and broadcast infrastructure compared to Mohali. The move signals PCA's intent to make the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup a premium event.
Each franchise in the 2026 season will be required to include a fixed number of under-19 qualified players in their squad. This is a deliberate developmental policy — ensuring young Punjab cricketers get exposure to franchise T20 cricket early, accelerating their pathway to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and IPL opportunities.
PCA is bringing in an outsourced professional management partner to run the operational side of the tournament — player auctions, sponsorships, broadcast negotiations, and event management. PCA retains governance and cricket oversight; the partner handles commercial and operational execution. This is the model used by TNPL and other mature state leagues.
Every team plays every other team twice in the league stage — once as the home team (listed first) and once as the away team. With 6 teams in Seasons 1–2, this produced 30 league matches. With 8 teams in 2026, the league stage will generate 56 matches. Points are awarded as: 2 for a win, 0 for a loss, 1 each for a tied/no-result match. The top 4 teams by points (then NRR) advance to the knockouts.
The semi-finals and final follow the league stage. In 2024, both semi-finals were held on the same day (June 25) as a double-header, with the final on June 27. This 3-match knockout is efficient and ensures the tournament concludes within a compact window. For 2026 with 8 teams, a potential 4-team or 4→2→1 knockout structure may be used.
All league matches are scheduled as double headers — two matches per day, except the final. Standard timings: Afternoon match at 3:00 PM IST, Evening match at 7:00–7:15 PM IST. Double headers maximise the use of stadium infrastructure and allow fans to watch two matches per day with one stadium visit.
Each T20 match lasts approximately 3–3.5 hours including strategic timeouts, drinks breaks, and the innings break. A double-header day runs from 3pm to approximately 10:30–11pm at the venue.
Based on the 2024 season structure at Mohali. 2026 dates and fixtures will be announced by PCA.
| Match | Stage | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | League, Day 1 | Team A vs Team B | Mullanpur, Punjab | 3:00 PM |
| 02 | League, Day 1 | Team C vs Team D | Mullanpur, Punjab | 7:15 PM |
| 03 | League, Day 2 | Team E vs Team F | Mullanpur, Punjab | 3:00 PM |
| 04 | League, Day 2 | Team G vs Team H | Mullanpur, Punjab | 7:15 PM |
| — | Semi-Final 1 | 1st vs 4th | Mullanpur, Punjab | 3:00 PM |
| — | Semi-Final 2 | 2nd vs 3rd | Mullanpur, Punjab | 7:15 PM |
| — | FINAL | SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner | Mullanpur, Punjab | 7:15 PM |
* Exact 2026 fixtures subject to PCA official announcement. Schedule pattern based on previous seasons.
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) is Punjab Cricket Association's flagship international venue. Located approximately 12 km north of Chandigarh city, the stadium represents PCA's biggest infrastructure investment and replaces IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali as the primary home ground for Punjab cricket.
Seasons 1 and 2 (2023–2024) were held at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali (Sector 63, SAS Nagar). This stadium has a proven track record as a batting-friendly venue — its flat pitches and short boundaries routinely produce scores above 180-200 in T20 matches. The shift to Mullanpur for 2026 upgrades the facilities while keeping the Punjab batting-friendly tradition alive.
These Punjab-qualified cricketers are expected to feature prominently in the 2026 Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup — a roster of IPL veterans, national callups, and exciting emerging talent.
How Punjab's T20 league compares to India's other established state T20 tournaments.
| Feature | Sher-e-Punjab T20 (2026) |
TNPL Tamil Nadu |
MPL Maharashtra |
BYJU's BCB T20 Bengal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Season | 2023 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Teams (2024/Latest) | 6 → 8 (2026) | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| Format | Double RR + KO | Round Robin + KO | Round Robin + KO | Round Robin + KO |
| Player Selection | Franchise Auction (2026) | Draft | Draft | Draft |
| Primary Venue | Mullanpur (new, 2026) | Multiple TN venues | Pune, Mumbai | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Broadcast | Star Sports + FanCode | Star Sports | Star Sports | Star Sports |
| IPL Player Pool | High (PBKS, many IPL players) | High | Medium | High |
| International Venue | Yes — Mullanpur/Mohali | Yes — Chennai, Chepauk | Yes — Pune MCA | Yes — Eden Gardens |
| Betting Coverage | Winkaro247 — Full markets | Available | Available | Available |
Winkaro247 provides live betting markets for the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup. Here are the markets available for each match.
Bet on which team wins the match — pre-match and live in-play. Odds update ball-by-ball during the match. Strong favourite/underdog dynamics in the short T20 format.
Bet on which team wins the toss. At batting-friendly Mullanpur/Mohali pitches, toss holds significant strategic value — the winning captain's decision often influences betting odds immediately.
Bet on runs scored in a specific session — e.g., Team A runs in first 6 overs, total runs in overs 7–12, runs in death overs (16–20). Settled immediately after the relevant session.
Bet on the total runs an innings will produce — over/under a set number. At Mullanpur's flat pitch, lambi lines are typically set high (175+) reflecting the batting-friendly conditions.
Bet on runs scored in the powerplay (first 6 overs). Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh's opening partnership can make powerplay markets particularly volatile and valuable.
Bet on which player scores the most runs or takes the most wickets in the match. Punjab players like Abhishek Sharma (bat) and Siddharth Kaul (bowl) are typically short-priced favourites.
Bet on over/under total sixes in the match. Punjab's explosive batting lineup at short-boundary Mullanpur/Mohali pitches frequently produces 20+ sixes per match — a popular fancy market.
Real-time odds on every ball during the match. Prices shift after every wicket, boundary, and dot ball. The most dynamic betting experience — recommended for experienced bettors who follow the match live.
Bet on specific batsman run milestones — will Abhishek Sharma score 30+? 50+? Partnership runs between opening batsmen? Settled after the specific milestone window.
Every question about the tournament, teams, format, venue, players, betting, and history — answered in full.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is the Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) official state T20 league. Launched in 2023, it gives Punjab's domestic cricketers a competitive franchise T20 platform between national tournaments. The tournament features 6–8 teams, a double round-robin league stage, and knockout semi-finals and final. From 2026, it upgrades to a full franchise auction model — similar to the IPL.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup was launched in July 2023 as Season 1. It was held at IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali. The six teams — Knights, Blasters, Strikers, Phantoms, Falcons, and Stallions — competed in the inaugural edition. Season 2 followed in June 2024 with corporate-sponsored team names. Season 3 in 2026 represents a major structural upgrade.
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) organises the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup. PCA is headquartered at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali and is the BCCI-affiliated governing body for cricket in Punjab and Chandigarh. From 2026, PCA will be supported by an outsourced professional management company for commercial and operational aspects, while retaining full governance and cricket oversight.
Two completed seasons: Season 1 in July 2023 and Season 2 in June 2024. Season 3 (2026) is planned for June 2026. The tournament was not held in 2025 (PCA dropped it that year before planning its comeback with a franchise upgrade for 2026).
PCA dropped the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup in 2025 to plan a comprehensive structural overhaul. Instead of continuing the existing format, PCA decided to redesign the tournament as a franchise-model league for 2026 — with player auctions, new venue (Mullanpur), 8 teams, and professional management. The 2025 pause was intentional to allow proper preparation for the upgraded 2026 edition.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is organised by PCA — a BCCI-affiliated state association. While BCCI approves the domestic cricket calendar at a national level, state associations have the authority to organise their own intra-state events like the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup. It is distinct from BCCI's national tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.
BLV Blasters won the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup Season 2 in 2024. They beat Trident Stallions by 4 wickets in the final, chasing 204 in 19.4 overs. BLV Blasters also posted an enormous 224/6 against JK Super Strikers in the semi-final — one of the tournament's highest totals.
The 2024 teams were: BLV Blasters (champions), Trident Stallions (runners-up), JK Super Strikers (semi-finalists), Royal Phantoms (semi-finalists), Agri Kings Knights, and Intersoft Titans. Team names in 2024 reflected corporate title sponsors — a departure from the colour-based names of Season 1.
The 2023 Season 1 teams were: Knights, Blasters, Strikers, Phantoms, Falcons, and Stallions. Team names were generic colour/mascot based — no corporate title sponsors in Season 1. Players were allocated by PCA selectors rather than through an auction.
No. The 2026 season will have entirely new franchise-owned teams. Previous team names (BLV Blasters, Trident Stallions, etc.) were corporate sponsorship arrangements in the old model. Under the new franchise model, team names, identities, and ownership will be determined through the franchise bidding process. Expect 8 new team identities to be announced before Season 3.
Expected marquee players for 2026:
Final squad compositions will depend on the franchise auction — teams bid competitively, so player distribution across teams may differ from previous seasons.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is designed for Punjab-qualified domestic cricketers — players registered with PCA who are eligible to represent Punjab in national domestic competitions. Unlike the IPL (which allows international players and players from any Indian state), the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup focuses on intra-Punjab talent. Exact eligibility rules for 2026 will be confirmed by PCA with the franchise documentation.
Punjab-domiciled players who play IPL for Punjab Kings can participate if eligible and available. Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, and Harpreet Brar are examples of PBKS-associated players with Punjab domestic ties. International players signed by PBKS from outside Punjab (foreign players, out-of-state Indian players) do not participate.
For 2026, PCA will set base prices for players based on their experience, Ranji Trophy performances, and IPL pedigree. Franchise managements will bid in an open auction — the highest bidder secures the player. Each team will have a purse limit and squad size constraints (including U-19 quotas). The auction will be managed by a professional outsourced partner, not PCA directly, to ensure transparency.
The tournament uses a double round-robin league stage where each team plays every other team twice, followed by semi-finals and a final. The top 4 teams by points (then NRR as tiebreaker) advance to the knockouts. Matches are scheduled as double-headers — two matches per day — with the final typically as a standalone evening match.
With 6 teams in Seasons 1–2: 30 league matches + 3 knockout matches (2 semi-finals + 1 final) = 33 total matches. With 8 teams planned for 2026: up to 56 league matches + 3–4 knockout matches = approximately 59–60 total matches. Exact count depends on PCA's confirmed format.
Matches are scheduled as double-headers: Afternoon match at 3:00 PM IST, Evening match at 7:00–7:15 PM IST. A typical double-header day runs from 3pm to approximately 10:30–11pm. The final may be a standalone single-match day at 7:15pm.
The 2026 tournament is planned for June 2026 — after the IPL 2026 season ends and following the 2026 T20 World Cup. Preparations including franchise auction planning are scheduled to begin in May 2026. Exact dates will be officially announced by PCA.
The previous seasons ran for approximately 2.5–3 weeks including both league stage and knockouts. Season 1 ran from July 13–30, 2023 (18 days). Season 2 in June 2024 was similar in duration. With 8 teams and more matches in 2026, the tournament may extend to 3–4 weeks depending on scheduling.
The 2026 season is planned to be hosted at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) — PCA's new flagship international venue which hosted IPL 2026 Punjab Kings home matches. This is an upgrade from the previous venue of IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali used for Seasons 1 and 2.
Both Season 1 (2023) and Season 2 (2024) were played at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Sector 63, SAS Nagar (Mohali) — PCA's previous primary international venue. All matches in both seasons, including semi-finals and finals, were hosted at this single venue.
Yes. Previous seasons were telecast on Star Sports Network with live streaming on FanCode (subscription required). For the 2026 franchise edition, enhanced broadcast rights — potentially including JioHotstar and more national coverage — may be announced. Check Star Sports and FanCode closer to the tournament for confirmed broadcast details.
Tickets are typically available through BookMyShow (India's primary online ticketing platform) and PCA's official website (cricketpunjab.in). Ticket prices range from affordable general stands to premium grandstand options. For 2026, the new Mullanpur stadium offers improved spectator facilities. Watch for official ticket sale announcements from PCA closer to the tournament.
FanCode has streamed the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup in previous seasons. A FanCode subscription is required for live streaming access. FanCode also provides scores, match centre features, and highlights. For confirmed streaming availability in 2026, check FanCode's app closer to the tournament — broadcasting rights may change for the upgraded franchise edition.
Yes. Winkaro247's platform covers domestic T20 leagues including the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup when matches are live. Get your betting ID on WhatsApp in 2 minutes at wa.link/winkaro777 to access match odds, session bets, lambi, fancy markets, and live in-play betting for Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup matches.
At batting-friendly Mullanpur/Mohali pitches, the most popular and value-rich batting markets are: (1) Lambi over — total innings runs (flat pitches consistently produce 180–220+), (2) Powerplay runs over — Punjab openers like Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran are explosive starters, (3) Total match sixes over — short boundaries and aggressive batsmen produce high six counts regularly. Always check pitch conditions and team composition before placing.
Yes — particularly at Mohali/Mullanpur. Both venues are batting-friendly throughout the match, but dew in evening games (especially later in the season) can significantly assist batting second. At these venues, teams winning the toss often elect to field first and bat second under lights. Toss results immediately shift live match betting odds — watching the toss before placing bets is advisable for session and lambi markets.
Abhishek Sharma — the most explosive T20 batsman in Punjab cricket. His presence at the top of the order consistently produces high powerplay totals. When Abhishek is in the team, powerplay over bets and total match sixes bets gain significant value. Prabhsimran Singh is the second key watch — together they form one of domestic cricket's most dangerous opening partnerships.
Siddharth Kaul (medium-fast) and Harpreet Brar (left-arm spin) are the most reliable wicket-takers in Punjab domestic cricket. Kaul's death-bowling skill and powerplay pace make him effective in multiple phases. Brar's left-arm spin is particularly effective in the middle overs on Mohali/Mullanpur's flatter pitches. Both are strong candidates for top bowler markets.
Session bets are over/under wagers on runs scored in a specific portion of the innings — e.g., "Team A runs 6 overs" or "Runs in overs 11–15." Lines are set by your Winkaro247 agent before each session begins. You wager on whether the actual runs will be over or under the line. Results are settled immediately after the specific session. At Mohali/Mullanpur pitches, session runs tend to be higher than average — factor this into your over/under decisions.
Yes — when the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is covered on Winkaro247's platform, live ball-by-ball in-play betting is available. Odds shift after every delivery — reflecting wickets, boundaries, dot balls, and run rate changes. In-play betting requires watching the match live and reacting quickly to odds movements. Contact your Winkaro247 WhatsApp agent before the match to confirm live coverage for specific matches.
WhatsApp Winkaro247 at wa.link/winkaro777 from any Punjab or Chandigarh location. Your betting ID is ready in under 2 minutes. Punjabi and Hindi support available 24x7. Minimum deposit ₹100 via UPI. Your account covers all cricket including Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup, IPL, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and all international cricket.
The highest confirmed total in Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup history is 224/6 scored by BLV Blasters against JK Super Strikers in the 2024 Semi-Final at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali. BLV Blasters won that match by 53 runs, with JK Super Strikers bowled out for 171. Mohali's flat pitch and short boundaries regularly produce 200+ scores.
The 2024 Final between BLV Blasters and Trident Stallions was the most dramatic match on record. Trident Stallions posted 204/5 — a very strong total. BLV Blasters chased it down with 4 wickets in hand in 19.4 overs (205/6). A last-ball finish was not needed, but the match remained tense until the penultimate over. Chasing 204 successfully in the final is one of the tournament's most impressive performances.
Yes. Players with India caps who are Punjab-qualified have featured in the tournament. Abhishek Sharma (who has represented India in T20Is), Siddharth Kaul (India T20I caps), and others with national team experience have played in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup, making it a genuinely high-quality domestic tournament beyond just state-level cricket.
The tournament serves multiple developmental functions: (1) Provides competitive T20 cricket for Punjab players between national tournaments, (2) Identifies emerging talent for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy selection, (3) Gives younger players (U-19 quotas in 2026) franchise T20 exposure early, (4) Keeps the Punjab talent pool sharp and match-fit through off-season periods, (5) Builds local fan engagement and attendance culture for Punjab cricket. PCA explicitly uses the tournament as a talent identification platform.
With only two seasons completed, established rivalries are still forming. The BLV Blasters vs Trident Stallions final rematch dynamic from 2024 is the most notable rivalry so far — both teams have strong player bases. In 2026, rivalries will develop around the new franchise identities and auction-assembled squads. Historically, matches between Blasters and Stallions have been the most competitive and high-scoring games of each season.
No. Punjab Kings (PBKS) is an IPL franchise. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is PCA's domestic state tournament — they are completely separate competitions. PBKS plays IPL matches at Mullanpur stadium. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup also uses PCA stadiums but features Punjab domestic cricketers (not PBKS's full IPL squad with international players).
Yes. The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is open to spectators. Tickets are available via BookMyShow and PCA's official website. The new Mullanpur stadium offers excellent spectator facilities. Double-header days (two matches) provide great value for fans who want a full day of cricket. Prices range from affordable to premium grandstand options.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) is BCCI's national domestic T20 championship — Punjab competes against other states (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, etc.). The Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup is PCA's intra-state tournament — Punjab players compete against each other in franchise teams. SMAT has national prestige; the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup has local identity and developmental focus. Punjab's SMAT squad is often drawn from performers in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup.
For detailed statistics: CricketAddictor (cricketaddictor.com) maintains comprehensive match-by-match records and leaderboards. CricHeroes has team and player profiles. ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz carry match scorecards. PCA's official website (cricketpunjab.in) has Season 1 and 2 archives. For live betting odds and markets, use your Winkaro247 platform.
Yes. PCA is planning to sell franchise rights to private investors/companies through a bidding process. Each franchise will pay a fee for the right to own and operate a team in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup. The franchise fee structure, base prices, and bidding process will be announced by PCA and their professional management partner before the tournament. This mirrors how IPL franchises were sold — except at a state-league scale.
Yes, and growing. The tournament has strong local appeal because it features familiar Punjab cricketers and is played at accessible venues (Mohali/Mullanpur) close to the major population centres of Chandigarh, SAS Nagar, and surrounding Punjab towns. The franchise upgrade in 2026 — with team identities, auctions, and professional presentation — is expected to significantly increase fan engagement and attendance compared to the first two seasons.