Domestic franchise leagues modelled after India’s flagship franchise tournament, the IPL have begun their stints across regional zones in the country to shine a spotlight on local talent that could potentially reach the international arenas. Some of the star cricketers in India’s national team are also playing crucial roles when it comes to team-building, captaincy and mentorship in these domestic franchise math-ups encouraging and motivating rising cricketers.
India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has made his return to home turf in Punjab, this time stepping into the skipper’s shoes for Fazilka Falcons, the franchise representing his hometown in the state’s Sher-E-Punjab T20 league. Gill moved from Fazilka, a district in southwestern Punjab, to Mohali, a town near capital city Chandigarh with his family as a child to gain access to seasoned cricket training academies and hone his skills while still a star in the making.
Leading Fazilka Falcons as captain, Gill is all set to lock horns today with Amritsar Soormas, captained by his national team fellow and childhood friend Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek, who is currently among the top 3 T20I batsmen in the world leads the franchise team of Amritsar, the city from which he hails
The match between Fazilka Falcons and Amritsar Soormas
The match between Fazilka Falcons and Amritsar Soormas will start at 7 pm today at the I.S. Bindra Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.
The match-up between the teams led by two stellar cricketers who go a long way back as childhood friends, with lots of shared sporting milestones will surely be an entertaining watch for fans. Gill and Sharma have been cricket besties ever since their junior and age group cricket days, and also lifted the champions’ trophy for the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup in February 2018.
The two batters have also opened the innings together for Team India in the bilateral T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2024, as well as the Asia Cup in 2025. Abhishek’s fiercely aggressive run-fest is often complemented by Gill’s strategic, crease-monitoring shots, which has made the two known as the famous “fire and ice” batting partners. As the two face each other off at their home turf in Punjab, where both their friendship and their cricketing journey started, it will definitely be a match-up to remember for today’s cricket fans.
Source: t2online.in
