Odisha Pro T20 League 2025 Kicks Off with Star-Studded Grand Opening at Barabati Stadium
Cuttack: The historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack came alive on Wednesday evening as the much-awaited Odisha Pro T20 League (OPTL) 2025 was inaugurated with a glittering grand opening ceremony. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who unveiled the league trophy and officially declared the tournament open.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “This is not just a league, it is a celebration of cricketing excellence. I want to thank the OCA officials for their dedicated efforts in bringing this league to life. I also welcome Mr. Irfan Pathan as the League Brand Ambassador, whose presence will inspire young cricketers and help the league grow further.”
The Chief Minister also performed the ceremonial coin toss for the inaugural match between Cuttack Panthers and Bhubaneswar Tigers. Just before the first ball was bowled, the traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony was held, marking the official commencement of the league.
The opening night dazzled spectators with a vibrant cultural line-up featuring Ruturaj Mohanty, Rapper Pratik, Sambalpuri Folk Dance, Malkhamb Dance, Nakash Aziz, and a special dance act by Bollywood star Chitrangada Singh, turning the evening into a grand spectacle.
Several Ollywood stars including Bhoomika dash, Elina Samantaray, Sheetal Patra, Sailendra Samantaray and others were aleo present.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including MLAs Sj. Souvic Biswal and Sj. Prakash Chandra Sethi, senior officials like Shri S. Dev Datta Singh, Commissioner of Police Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, and Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, Director General, Fire & Emergency Services, alongside sports administrators and franchise owners.
The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), led by Secretary Shri Sanjay Behera, organized the event. Dr. Asirbad Behera, veteran sports administrator, hailed the league as a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent, while Irfan Pathan, in his role as Brand Ambassador, urged players to make the most of this opportunity.
Adding a humanitarian touch to the evening, the OCA announced a contribution of ₹5 lakh to Adruta Children Homes, presented on stage by the Chief Minister and dignitaries, coinciding with the birthday of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
With its blend of cricket, culture, and celebration, the Odisha Pro T20 League 2025 has made a grand debut, promising to be a landmark sporting event for the state.