Maintaining their supremacy in the MGM Odisha T20 Cricket League, Odisha Panthers emerged champions, defeating Odisha Lions in the final at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack today. Panthers allrounder Subham Nayak was adjudged the man of the match for hitting an unbeaten 29 and taking one wicket.

Electing to bat, Odisha Lions made 113 for nine with the help of 38 by Nauttam Bhanja. Panthers overhauled the target with five balls to spare, losing four wickets in the process. Panthers allorounder Alok Chandra Sahoo pocketed the prize as the man of the series. He accumulated a total of 142 runs and bagged 24 wickets in 12 games.

Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Odisha Athletic Association secretary Asirbad Behera and Odisha Advocate General Ashok Kumar Parija graced the closing ceremony as guests. Odisha-born international cricketer Pragyan Ojha was felicitated on the occasion. Host Odisha Cricket Association president Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, secretary Sanjay Behera and other office-bearers were present in the function.

BRIEF SCORES (13 January, 2021):

Match 33 (Final): Odisha Lions 113/9 in 20 overs (Nauttam Bhanja 38; Pradeep Pradhan 2/9, Alok Sahoo 2/28, Basant Mohanty 2/31) lost to Odisha Panthers 115/4 in 19.1 overs (Abhishek Yadav 40*, Nisikanta Rout 11, Subham Nayak 29*) by 6 wickets. MoM: Subham Nayak.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Members of Odisha Panthers celebrate after emerging champions in the Odisha T20 Cricket League in Cuttack on 13 January, 2021.