The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack came alive with fervour and excitement as the Odisha Pro T20 League (OPTL) 2025 was inaugurated with a grand opening ceremony.
The event, hosted by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), was graced by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, who unveiled the league trophy and officially declared the tournament open.
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi remarked, “This is not just a league; it is a celebration of cricketing excellence.” He praised the efforts of OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera and Dr. Asirbad Behera for bringing international matches and tournaments to Barabati Stadium. Welcoming former Indian cricketer Mr Irfan Pathan as the League Brand Ambassador, he added, “His involvement will certainly help cricket and this league grow further.”
The ceremony set the stage for the inaugural match between Cuttack Panthers and Bhubaneswar Tigers. The Chief Minister spun the coin for the toss, with Swastik Samal, captain of Cuttack Panthers, electing to bowl first. A traditional bell-ringing ceremony followed, with dignitaries including Sanjay Behera, S. Dev Datta Singh (Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack), and MLAs Souvic Biswal and Prakash Chandra Sethi joining the Chief Minister to mark the official start of the match.
The evening was a vibrant spectacle, featuring performances by Ruturaj Mohanty, Rapper Pratik, Sambalpuri Folk Dance, Malkhamb Dance, Nakash Aziz, and a special dance act by Chitrangada Singh. The event was attended by notable figures, including Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde (Collector & District Magistrate, Cuttack), Dr Asirbad Behera (Secretary, Football Association of Odisha), and franchise owners Mr Shailendra Behera (Cuttack Panthers) and Ms Tanisha Jain (Rourkela Steelers).
Dr Asirbad Behera expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and stakeholders, emphasising the tournament’s role in showcasing young talent.
League Brand Ambassador Irfan Pathan added, “I will do my best to ensure Odisha’s young talents get the right platform and exposure to take their game to the next level.”
In a heartwarming gesture, the OCA announced a ₹5,00,000 contribution to Adruta Children Homes on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The cheque was presented by the Chief Minister alongside dignitaries, reflecting OCA’s commitment to social welfare.
The Odisha Pro T20 League 2025 promises to be a thrilling platform for emerging cricketers, with Barabati Stadium set to host electrifying matches in the days ahead.
RELATED STORY: Odisha Pro T20 League 2025: OCA Launches Franchise Cricket with 6 Regional Teams
