Cuttack, Sept. 21 (UDN): Sambalpur Warriors began their Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy campaign in style, securing a nine-run victory over Kataka Panthers at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday.
Captain Gaurav Choudhary produced the standout performance of the match, smashing an attacking 88 off 46 deliveries to help the Warriors post 193/8 after being asked to bat first.
Choudhary, Mishra Set Up Strong Total
Choudhary dominated the Panthers attack with nine fours and six sixes, while opening partner Shantanu Mishra provided valuable support.
The pair added an impressive 135 runs for the opening wicket, laying the foundation for a sizeable Warriors total. Mishra scored 60 off 40 balls before his dismissal, while Choudhary continued his assault until he was eventually removed.
Sambalpur lost some momentum after the captain’s departure and wickets fell at regular intervals towards the end of the innings. However, the Warriors finished strongly enough to reach 193/8 in 20 overs.
For Kataka Panthers, Abhishek Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/32 from his four overs.
Panthers Stumble Early in Chase
Chasing 194, Kataka Panthers endured a difficult start, losing two early wickets before further setbacks left them four down inside the powerplay.
With the innings in trouble, MG Gopal and Kartik Biswal launched a counterattack to revive the chase.
Kartik was particularly aggressive, striking 56 from just 28 balls and keeping the Panthers within touching distance of the target. His dismissal at deep mid-wicket, however, shifted the momentum back towards Sambalpur.
Gopal continued to anchor the innings, but the Panthers struggled to maintain their scoring rate while losing wickets at crucial stages.
Kataka eventually ended their 20 overs at 184/9, finishing nine runs short of victory.
Choudhary Named Player of the Match
Choudhary’s unbeaten-looking impact with the bat earned him the Player of the Match award for his match-winning 88.
The award was presented by Surendra Natha Panda, Chairman and Founder of Bharat Masala. Sibaprasad Tripathi, Member of the Odisha Cricket Association, presented the Moment of the Match award to OM-T Munde.
Speaking after the game, Choudhary said the victory provided an encouraging start to the campaign.
“It feels great to start the tournament with a win. As a team, we wanted to begin on a positive note, and I am happy that I could contribute with the bat.”
He also credited his opening partnership with Mishra for giving the team a strong platform and acknowledged that the Warriors still have areas to improve as the tournament progresses.
The victory gives Sambalpur Warriors an early boost as they look to build momentum in the Odisha T20 League CM Trophy.