Western Samurai ( Rourkela Team- Only Team from Western Orissa ) Won Odisha Premier League (OPL)

Western Samurai Rourkela beat home favourites Katak Barabati Tigers in the low-scoring final by four runs to emerge champions in the inaugural Odisha Premier League (OPL) Twenty20 Cricket Tournament.Finally OPL ended on 12^th June, it was started on 22^nd May. There were 10 teams in the OPL  Team, Matches were played at 5 various grounds which include Bhubneswar, Cuttack, Paradeep, Sambalpur & Angul.  44 matches were played in difference places in flood lights. In the final match, played at Barabati stadium of Cuttack, Western Samurai became the winner of the first OPL Cup beating the Cuttack tigers with 4 runs. Western Samurai scored 112/5 in 20 overs & Cuttack Tigers could score only 108 after losing 5 wickets. 

The players and officials of the first OPL champion, western Samurai were given warm reception in Sambalpur after their return to the City. They first went to the temple of Maa Samaleswari to get her blessing. The first match that was played against Puri was crucial for us and after wining the match at the home ground VSS Stadium, Sambalpur our players became so motivated that they played well in every matches and finally we won the title” captain of the Western Samurai Rourkela team Natraj Behera said.  Franchise owner of the team Sudhansu Jena said “We became successful because of the mercy of Maa Samaleswari, so we came to the temple”.


The district Athletic Association of Sambalpur organized a programme in the afternoon at VSS stadium to felicitate the players and coach of the team for their achievement. Players made Western Orissa proud. They started their match in Sambalpur and they returned their home ground to share their happiness. Franchise owner Jena said that the team has decided to make VSS stadium to be their permanent home ground to continue the coaching to their players for further matches. He also informed to release an audio album of the team brand ambassador Jitendra Haripal to revive his past glory. Haripal is famous singer of  90’s Sambalpuri songs.