New Delhi, January 2026: Franchise India Brands Limited, India’s leading franchise and retail solutions platform, has announced its strategic association with Punjab De Sher as the “Powered By” sponsor for the upcoming Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) Season 12. The partnership marks a convergence of two powerful ecosystems—entrepreneurship and sportainment—while reinforcing Franchise India’s long-standing commitment to inspiring ambition, discipline, and excellence across India’s aspiring business community.
With a legacy spanning over 27 years, Franchise India has played a pivotal role in nurturing India’s entrepreneurial aspirations by promoting franchising as a proven, scalable, and sustainable route to business ownership. By aligning with Punjab De Sher—champions of CCL Season 11—the brand extends its philosophy beyond boardrooms and business expos, tapping into the emotional and aspirational appeal of sports to connect with millions across the country.
A Natural Synergy Between Franchising and Sport
Much like professional sport, franchising thrives on consistency, teamwork, resilience, and passion. These shared values form the cornerstone of Franchise India’s decision to partner with the Celebrity Cricket League, India’s largest sportainment property that seamlessly blends cricket with cinema.
CCL brings together more than 200 celebrities from eight regional film industries, transforming cricket into a high-energy entertainment platform with nationwide appeal. Season 12 of the league kicks off on January 16, with matches scheduled across Vizag, Madurai, and Hyderabad, before culminating in the grand finale on February 1. The tournament will be live-streamed on Sony Sports and JioHotstar, with CCL continuing to witness rapid growth driven by regional passion, deep cultural penetration, and its celebrity-led emotional connect—often described as one of the fastest-growing sports entertainment formats in the country.
Leadership Speaks: A Winning Mindset
Speaking on the association, Mr. Gaurav Marya, Founder and Chairman, Franchise India Brands Limited, said:
“We are proud to partner with Punjab De Sher, the champions of CCL Season 11. This collaboration exemplifies the same winning mindset that Franchise India has championed for decades. Our philosophy has always been about partnerships for mutual growth—about making the orbit bigger. Whether in business or sport, success is driven by belief, perseverance, and teamwork.”
The partnership underscores Franchise India’s belief that inspiration can come from multiple platforms. By associating with a high-impact league like CCL, the brand aims to engage India’s youth and aspiring entrepreneurs through stories of grit, performance, and leadership that resonate far beyond the cricket field.
Punjab De Sher: Champions On and Off the Field
Punjab De Sher, one of the most popular teams in the Celebrity Cricket League, is co-owned by Puneet Singh and Navraj Hans. The team boasts a strong lineup of entertainers and performers who command massive fan followings across India and overseas.
Led by actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood as captain and singer-actor Hardy Sandhu as vice-captain, the team also features celebrated names such as Gurpreet Ghuggi, Jassie Gill, Aparshakti Khurana, Binnu Dhillon, among others. With a fan base that extends far beyond Punjab, the team has emerged as a symbol of energy, discipline, and unity.
Punjab De Sher clinched the CCL Season 11 championship, and the team now enters Season 12 with the goal of defending its title—adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament.
Sports Meets Entrepreneurship
Echoing the spirit of collaboration, Puneet Singh and Navraj Hans, Co-owners of Punjab De Sher, shared their perspective on the partnership:
“This association brings together two powerful ecosystems—sports and entrepreneurship. Through sponsorships and meaningful engagement, we are creating an event that not only entertains but also connects India’s leading entrepreneurs with millions of sports enthusiasts nationwide. It’s about inspiration, ambition, and building something bigger together.”
The partnership aims to leverage CCL’s massive reach to spotlight entrepreneurship as an aspirational journey—one that mirrors the highs and lows of competitive sport.
Sonu Sood on Leadership and Inspiration
Team captain Sonu Sood, widely admired not only for his on-screen performances but also for his humanitarian work, highlighted the deeper alignment between Franchise India and Punjab De Sher.
“As the captain of Punjab De Sher, I am proud to be associated with Franchise India—a brand that has empowered entrepreneurs for over 27 years. I have always believed in uplifting people with talent and determination. When audiences watch their favourite stars perform on the field, it inspires them to believe that they too can excel in any field—business, sports, or life—once they decide to give it their all,” Sood said.
His words reinforce the core message of the collaboration: that success, whether in entrepreneurship or athletics, is rooted in courage, commitment, and the willingness to take risks.
Building Aspiration Beyond the Game
By powering Punjab De Sher in CCL Season 12, Franchise India continues to expand its outreach beyond traditional platforms, using sports as a medium to engage with India’s next generation of business owners. The association strengthens the brand’s positioning as a champion of dreamers—those who aspire to build, grow, and lead.
About Franchise India
Founded by Gaurav Marya, Founder & Chairman, Franchise India has enabled more than 800,000 investors and supported over 100,000 brands through its integrated ecosystem. The organisation operates across consulting, media, exhibitions, and franchise expansion, spanning sectors such as food & beverage, retail, education, and services.
With its continued focus on empowering entrepreneurs and fostering scalable business opportunities, Franchise India remains committed to giving aspiring business owners the wings they need to soar—on and off the field.
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