Former cricket stars will champion young regional athletic talent
Indian cricket icons Suresh Raina and Debashish Mohanty are stepping onto the pitch as official brand ambassadors for the Odisha T20 League 2026 CM Trophy. Scheduled from September 20 to September 29, this intense domestic tournament will take place at the iconic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Six competitive franchises—Bhubaneswar Tigers, Puri Titans, Keonjhar Miners, Rourkela Superstars, Sambalpur Warriors, and Kataka Panthers—will fight for ultimate state glory.
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Raina expressed his excitement while greeting fans with a warm “Namaskar, Odisha!” He noted that ten days of high-intensity matches will offer players a rigorous environment to prove their mettle on the field. Mohanty shared identical enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating a thrilling showcase of skill in a high-pressure setting. Both veterans bring invaluable experience to an event designed to uplift grassroots athletics across the state. Historically, Barabati Stadium has hosted monumental international fixtures, making it a revered proving ground for any aspiring cricketer in India.
Tournament structure and key matches
Opening day on September 20 features an exciting clash between the Sambalpur Warriors and the Kataka Panthers to kickstart the competition. The format blends standard league stages with decisive knockout rounds. Whoever finishes at the summit of the points table secures an automatic spot in the grand final on September 29. Meanwhile, teams landing in second and third place must battle through a demanding Qualifier match to reach the championship game. Organizers also planned a special women’s exhibition match on September 28 to offer fans another exciting athletic attraction.
Odisha Cricket Association Honorary Secretary Sanjay Behera warmly welcomed both legendary cricketers. He expressed confidence that their involvement will inspire emerging players to dream bigger. By uniting established champions with fresh hopefuls, organisers are actively building a robust, sustainable pathway for talented state-level players to transition smoothly into national sporting conversations.
