Bhubaneswar: The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was abuzz with excitement as the Odisha Pro T20 League (OPTL) 2025 was officially inaugurated on Tuesday evening. The ceremony, hosted by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, who was unveiled as the league’s brand ambassador.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Majhi unveiled the OPTL trophy and declared the tournament open, remarking, “This is not just a league; it is a celebration of cricketing excellence.” He praised OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera and Dr. Asirbad Behera for their efforts in bringing international matches and tournaments to the state.
Irfan Pathan’s appointment as brand ambassador was warmly welcomed, with the Chief Minister expressing confidence that his involvement would help take the league to new heights.
The evening’s festivities included a range of performances, from traditional Sambalpuri folk dances to energetic musical acts by Ruturaj Mohanty, Rapper Pratik, and Nakash Aziz. Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh also treated the audience to a special dance performance.
The inaugural match of the league will feature Cuttack Panthers taking on Bhubaneswar Tigers. The Chief Minister spun the coin for the toss, with Cuttack Panthers captain Swastik Samal opting to bowl first.
A traditional bell-ringing ceremony marked the official start of the match in the presence of dignitaries, including Sanjay Behera, Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh, and MLAs Souvic Biswal and Prakash Chandra Sethi.
The OPTL promises to be an exciting tournament, showcasing the best of Odisha’s cricketing talent and providing a platform for local players to shine. With its grand inauguration ceremony, the league has set the stage for a thrilling competition that will keep cricket fans on the edge of their seats.
