Rourkela Superstars clinched victory following an unbeaten Abhishek Yadav innings
Rourkela Superstars secured a hard-fought three-wicket win against Bhubaneswar Tigers during their latest clash in the Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy. Held at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the match saw Abhishek Yadav hold his nerve under extreme pressure to guide his team across the finish line. This state-level T20 tournament continues to serve as a crucial platform for discovering elite regional cricketing talent across Odisha.
Bhubaneswar Tigers face early trouble
Batting first, Bhubaneswar struggled to build momentum and was ultimately bowled out for 149. Early on, they stumbled to 20 for 2, forcing Sambit Beja and Shreyansh Bhardwaj to rebuild the innings. Together, they added 50 runs for the third wicket. Beja struck 25 runs from 19 balls, while Bhardwaj smashed 39 from 28 deliveries. Despite this strong recovery effort, Rourkela bowlers struck at regular intervals to stall the run rate. Ruddra Prasad Mallick anchored one end with a patient 47 off 35 balls, ensuring Bhubaneswar reached a defensible total. Leading the bowling attack, Papu Ray delivered an exceptional spell, grabbing two wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs.
Superstars Bounce back from top order shock
Chasing 150 for victory, Rourkela faced their own top-order crisis, slumping to 49 for 4 within the first eight overs. Wickets tumbled frequently, leaving the outcome delicately poised. Stepping into the crisis, Abhishek took total control of the pitch. He played a composed, match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten 61 from exactly 38 balls. His careful progression kept the chase perfectly on track, eventually sealing the three-wicket triumph for his squad.
Speaking after his incredible performance, Abhishek expressed relief and deep satisfaction. “It feels really good to contribute to the team’s victory, especially in a situation where we had lost a few wickets early,” he stated. He explained that his primary focus was staying at the crease, keeping the innings together, and taking the game as deep as possible to ensure success.
Following the thrilling finish, Abhishek received the Dynamic Striker award from Punya Prakash Parida, representing the Bhubaneswar Tigers. He also claimed the Player of the Match trophy from Bharat Masala Executive Director Arun Nayak. Organizers honored Papu Ray with the Moment of the Match award, presented by Vimal Elaichi representative Luv Malik.
