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The Odisha Premier League (OPL) cricket tournament will begin at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on September 17 and continue till September 26 under the aegis of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).
Modelled on the IPL format, the league promises high-octane cricket action with six participating teams, Puri Titans, Bhubaneswar Tigers, Cuttack Panthers, Keonjhar Miners, Sambalpur Warriors, and Rourkela Steelers.
Focus on Young Talent
In a significant move, this season will exclusively feature players aged between 16 and 22 years, providing a platform for emerging cricketers. A total of 170 players will take part in the tournament across different categories.
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The player auction, held recently at a Bhubaneswar hotel, introduced a draft system for the first time in OPL history. OCA President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty said the new process would ensure fair team composition and more opportunities for young talent.
He said, “For the first time, we have arranged the auction in a draft system for the pro league. There are six teams and 170 players in total. They are placed primarily in Categories of Captain, A, B, C, and others. The captain category players have been placed for Rs 1,25,000. A category players have a price of Rs 1,00,000, B category is of Rs 75,000, and C category players have a price of Rs 50,000. The rest of the players in other categories are set for Rs 40,000. These teams will pick up players through a lottery system.”
Final Match on September 26
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The OPL will run for nine days, with the final match scheduled for September 26 at Barabati Stadium. The league is expected to draw strong local support, while also offering a professional platform for Odisha’s young cricketers to showcase their skills.
