Bhubaneswar: In an age of digital fandom and stadium selfies, some supporters still measure devotion in pedal strokes and open roads. One such story has once again put Odisha’s passionate cricket lovers in the spotlight.
Deepak Kumar, known on social media as ‘The OD Trekker’, recently completed a 1,200-kilometre bicycle journey from Odisha to Indore in Madhya Pradesh with a single purpose — to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar.
After days of relentless cycling, the meeting finally took place. In a video that has since gone viral, Patidar is seen removing his footwear before accepting a painting of Lord Jagannath from the young fan, a quiet gesture of respect that immediately warmed hearts across social media. The moment was more than a photo opportunity. Deepak also presented Patidar with a traditional Sambalpuri Chadar, offering a piece of Odisha’s cultural heritage.
In return, the RCB skipper gifted him an official team jersey, spent time talking with him, posed for photographs and wished him well.
Cricket fans online praised both the extraordinary effort of the supporter and the humility shown by the captain.
This is not Deepak’s first epic ride. Earlier, he had cycled nearly 1,800 to 2,000 kilometres over 12 days to meet Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Touched by the determination of his 18-year-old superfan, Pandya tracked him down, invited him to his farmhouse and presented him with a personal, match-worn Champions Trophy jersey — a keepsake few fans ever dream of receiving.
Together, these two journeys paint a striking picture of a particular brand of Odisha fandom: young men willing to leave home, endure long and physically demanding roads, and carry with them symbols of their culture — be it a painting of Lord Jagannath or a Sambalpuri textile — as offerings of pure admiration.
For Deepak and others like him from Odisha, the miles pedalled are not a burden but a pilgrimage. And for the cricketers who pause, remove their shoes, accept a painting, and hand over a jersey, those miles become a shared story of respect that resonates far beyond the cricket field.
