Cricket / Keonjhar Miners Storm to Odisha T20 League Glory

Kataka, Oct 1: Keonjhar Miners scripted a memorable finale at the Barabati Stadium, crushing Sambalpur Warriors by nine wickets to clinch the Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy with a commanding all‑round display.

Sambalpur Warriors struggled to find momentum from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals. Reduced to 55/8, they were eventually bowled out for just 102 in 18.3 overs.

Keonjhar’s bowlers were relentless, with Jamala Mohapatra standing out for his disciplined spell of 2/13 in four overs, playing a crucial role in restricting the opposition.

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Chasing a modest target, Keonjhar suffered an early setback when Rajesh Dhupar fell cheaply for one. However, Mayank Pattanayak and captain Subhranshu Senapati steadied the innings with an unbeaten 89‑run stand.

Pattanayak stole the show with a blistering 72 not out off 34 balls, while Senapati anchored the chase with 32 not out from 26 deliveries. Their composed partnership ensured Keonjhar crossed the finish line without further alarms, clinching the trophy in style.

Reflecting on the triumph, skipper Subhranshu Senapati credited the collective effort behind the team’s success.

“I am extremely happy with this victory. I would especially like to thank our team owner and support staff for the way they stood by us throughout the tournament. We lost our first two matches, and making a comeback from that position was not easy. The support and belief they showed in us played a huge role in our journey. The credit also goes to all the players, who remained committed to the team and played for each other. Their dedication was visible on the field, and I am delighted that we have finished the tournament as champions.”

Team owner Pratyush Manish Khemka echoed the sentiment, praising the squad’s resilience.

“It has been a fantastic game and an incredible journey for us. Although we lost our first two matches in the tournament, the team showed tremendous character to bounce back and win three games in a row. We carried that momentum into the final and delivered a dominant performance. The way the players have come together and performed as a unit has been remarkable. As a team owner, I am extremely proud of what this group has achieved. Watching them play with such commitment and deliver these results truly fills my heart with joy. Words cannot fully describe how happy and proud I feel today.”

SEASON AWARDS

The tournament's individual awards recognised some of the leading performers of the season.

Moment of the Season: Swastik Samal

Player of the Season: Vageesh Sharma, Keonjhar Miners

Purple Cap: Vageesh Sharma, Keonjhar Miners

Orange Cap: Shantanu Mishra

(IANS)