Manish Bhatia outlines Bhatinda Royals' plans ahead of Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026
In a Khel Now article published on August 25, 2026, Bhatinda Royals' batting coach Manish Bhatia discussed the importance of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 with less than a week remaining before the tournament begins. He said the Royals have assembled a balanced squad and will be aiming to make a strong impact in the tournament.
Bhatia set out his assessment of the squad's bowling resources and named senior members of the unit, including captain and India player Gurnoor Brar and left-arm pacer Ashwini, who has been associated with the Mumbai Indians setup. “In a winning team, a strong bowling attack is very important, and I feel we are well covered in that department. We have our captain and India player Gurnoor Brar, along with left-arm pacer Ashwini, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians setup. We also have several all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball, which gives us a very balanced bowling unit.” Bhatia said.
Turning to the batting lineup, Bhatia pointed to players with age-group experience for Punjab and highlighted the form of the side's vice-captain. “We have some very talented batters who have represented Punjab at different age-group levels. Our vice-captain, Uday Saharan, is the backbone of this team. He is in excellent form, and his presence gives a lot of confidence to the entire squad. Overall, I think we have a very good combination.” Bhatia said.
Bhatia recalled Uday Saharan's leadership credentials and recent appointment as captain. “Last year, we made Uday Saharan the captain of Punjab, and he continues to lead the side. He is already an experienced leader in red-ball cricket and has shown great maturity at a young age.” Bhatia said. “If there is one player to watch out for in this tournament, it is Uday Saharan. I genuinely believe he has a bright future ahead of him. He can win matches for us and will continue to play an important role for Punjab cricket in the years to come.” Bhatia said.
On the competition's role in talent development, Bhatia described the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League as a platform for younger players to compete alongside established cricketers. “The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League can play a huge role in the growth of Punjab cricket. It gives young players an opportunity to showcase their talent and compete alongside experienced cricketers.” Bhatia said.
Addressing preparations, Bhatia said the team's early training had been encouraging and that the squad's attitude in practice had strengthened the coaches' confidence. “We have already started our practice sessions, and the players have looked very sharp. Their attitude and performances in training have given us confidence that we have selected a strong squad. We are committed to identifying and developing young talent, and I believe this tournament will help many players take the next step in their careers.” Bhatia said.
The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 will take place from August 30 to September 13. For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.