In a pulsating finale that captivated cricket enthusiasts, Team Blackbuck stormed to their first-ever title in the fourth edition of the Pragativadi Premier League (PPL), defeating Team Growth by eight wickets at the Pragativadi Golden Jubilee Ground here on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 113, Blackbuck’s openers set the tone with a fiery partnership. Skipper Prashant Behera smashed an unbeaten 45 off just 22 balls, while Pramod Behera contributed a brisk 21, propelling their side to victory in just 10.5 overs. Abhijit Khatua anchored the chase with a steady 36 not out, and Naba Prasad Behera remained unbeaten to guide the team home. Growth’s bowlers toiled hard, with Akash Bhuyan and captain Pabitra Kumar Dash claiming a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
Earlier, electing to bat first, Team Growth managed 112 for six in their allotted 12 overs on a pitch offering some turn. Pabitra Kumar Dash led the charge with a gritty 39, supported by Akash Bhuyan’s 29 and Amarendra Behera’s 19. Amiya Bhushan Sahu chipped in with 10, but Blackbuck’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Naba Prasad Behera was the standout with two wickets, while Prakash Jena, Hitesh Rout, and Bansidhar Ojha picked up one apiece.
Prashant Behera’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, capping a dominant performance that saw Blackbuck end the tournament on a high. For the runners-up, it was a bittersweet finish, with captain Pabitra Kumar Dash gracious in defeat.
The league stage threw up several heroes, with Player of the Match honours going to: Pabitra Kumar Dash and Akash Bhuyan (Team Growth), Pramod Behera (Team Blackbuck), Binod Behera and Bikram Behera (Team Blue), Malaya Rana and Saroj Kumar Barik (Team Gold), and Naba Prasad Behera (Team Blackbuck). Notably, Pabitra Kumar Dash scooped multiple nods for his consistent contributions.
Naba Prasad Behera emerged as the undisputed star of the tournament, bagging the Player of the Tournament accolade for his extraordinary haul of 106 runs and 16 wickets across the edition.
Umpires Saroj Kumar Barik and Muktikanta Lenka officiated the final, with Sthitaprajna Mishra handling scoring duties flawlessly.
The glittering closing ceremony was a star-studded affair, graced by dignitaries including Siba Mohanty, Resident Editor of The New Indian Express Group, Bhubaneswar; Soumitra Pattnaik, Head of Corporate Communications at AMNS India; Pradyumna Panda, Head of Corporate Communications at Adani Group; Ashwini Prasad Mohanty, GM-Chief of Corporate Affairs at IMFA; Dr. Loknath Das, Associate Vice President at CARE Hospitals Bhubaneswar; Rupali Kar, Head of Corporate Communications at Vedanta; senior cricket coach Manoj Mahapatra; Ranji cricketer Priyabrata Pradhan; Pragativadi’s Director Dr. Mona Lisa Bal; and CFO Ramakantha Samantaray. They presented the awards amid cheers from a packed crowd.
The event, coordinated under the stewardship of Pragativadi’s Executive Editor Birupakshya Tripathy and anchored by veteran sports journalist Manoranjan Das, underscored Pragativadi Sports 2025’s commitment to grassroots development. Beyond cricket, the initiative encompassed karate, chess, table tennis, badminton, yoga, and music chair, fostering holistic sports growth at the community level.
Women Power Overpowers Writers Club in Festive Friendly
Adding a touch of women’s empowerment to the celebrations, Women Power triumphed over Writers Club in a light-hearted five-over exhibition match, winning by six wickets to symbolise solidarity and spirit.
Batting first, Writers Club folded for a paltry 29 all out. In reply, Women Power romped to 30 for no loss in just 3.2 overs, with Sonirani Samal stealing the show. The opener blazed an unbeaten 20, laced with five boundaries, to remain not out and seal the win. Her explosive knock earned her the Player of the Match honours.
Esteemed guests Dr Bijayananda Singh, Chairman of Kutak Kaladarpan Development Centre; Sarat Chandra Pradhan, President of Olasuni Unnayan Trust; Sk Masood Ali, Chief Editor of Agami Shatabdi; and cultural researcher Shubhendu Kumar Bhuyan presented the trophy, hailing the match as a beacon of female fortitude.
With the curtains down on a memorable edition, PPL continues to inspire the next generation of Odia cricketers, blending competition with community upliftment.
