Three local stars unite for historic Mullanpur showdown today.

Mullanpur: Following a decisive victory in Cuttack, the focus of the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I shifts to the newly inaugurated facility on the outskirts of Chandigarh. While the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium is hosting its debut men’s international fixture, the real story capturing the hearts of fans involves the emotional homecoming of three local cricketing talents.

The atmosphere outside the stadium is electric. Usually, vendors do brisk business selling jerseys with names like Dhoni, Kohli, or Captain Suryakumar Yadav. However, for this specific encounter, there is an unprecedented demand for shirts bearing the names of the state's own sons: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh. This match marks a historic moment as it is the first instance where three players from the region will represent the national side together on their home ground.

The significance of the moment is deeply felt by the families of the players. Baljit Kaur, mother of speedster Arshdeep Singh, expressed her joy regarding the bond the players share. She noted that the trio shares a connection that goes beyond professional camaraderie, describing them as brothers. For her, seeing them wear the India blue together is akin to watching family members take the field. She recalled how the families previously cheered for them in Australia and confirmed they would be present in the stands at Mullanpur to support the team.

This sentiment resonates with Abhishek Sharma’s father and childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. He expressed immense pride in seeing the youngsters, particularly Shubman Gill whom he has watched grow up, cement their spots in the Indian squad.

The trio is not just playing for sentiment; they are critical to the team's strategy as India prepares for upcoming global tournaments. Following the team's comprehensive win in Odisha, these players are looking to maintain momentum. Gill has already showcased his leadership in other formats, Abhishek has climbed the T20 batting rankings, and Arshdeep continues to be a lethal weapon with the new ball.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi, a former India all-rounder, highlighted the historical weight of this occasion. He pointed out that the last time the state contributed a similar trio to the national team, it included legends like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh alongside Dinesh Mongia. With the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I, the new generation is ready to carry that legacy forward.