Konark Suryas Odisha (KSO), a team without any player from Odisha, celebrated their debut in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) with a thrilling two-run win against defending champions Manipal Tigers in the opening match at Barkatullah Stadium in Jodhpur, Rajasthan on 20 September 2024.
Led by former India allrounder Irfan Pathan, KSO made a modest total of 104 for nine in 20 overs and then restricted the Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers to 102 for eight. Vinay Kumar of KSO was adjudged as the legend of the match.
According to unconfirmed reports, former Odisha Senior Men cricket team captain and opening batter Natraj Behera has been included in Konark Suryas Odisha team as an impact player. But the players list of the 18-member KSO team, published in the website of Legends League Cricket, did not feature his name.
It may be noted that at the launching pragramme of the KSO, its owner Sanpriya Group had announced its commitment for the development of Odisha with a strong focus on infrastructure, sports and community welfare. Though Odisha has a number of renowned retired cricketers in its rank, including Debasis Mohanty, Shiv Sundar Das, Sanjay Raul and Rashmi Ranjan Parida, not including anyone from the State has raised eyebrows.
ABOUT KONARK SURYAS ODISHA & SUNPRIYA GROUP:
* Sanpriya Group is a conglomerate with business interests in education, manufacturing, real estate marketing, sports, and housing for the past 38 years.
* The group is headed by Chairperson Sanjeev Srivastva with Enakshi Priyam as COO.
* Konark Suryas Odisha was previously known as Bhilwara Kings, which was owned by LNJ Bhilwara Group.
* Sanpriya Group acquired the Bhilwara Kings franchise, paying an undisclosed sum to Bhilwara Group and renamed the franchise as Konark Suryas Odisha.
* Little or no information related to the training base, coach and team staff of KSO is available in the public domain.
* However, Sector 63, Noida has been mentioned as the office address of KSO.
* Former Odisha spinner Saroj Barik has disclosed that he had joined KSO as its assistant bowling coach.
ABOUT LEGENDS LEAGUE CRICKET:
* Legends League Cricket (LLC) is a franchise-based T20 tournament for retired cricketers.
* Absolute Legends Sports Pvt Ltd is the owner and operator of LLC, which was first held in 2022.
* India Capitals claimed victory in the inaugural edition, while Manipal Tigers won the 2023 title, defeating Urbanrisers Hyderabad by five wickets.
* The third edition, featuring six teams and a total of 25 matches will take place in four venues from 20 September to 16 October 2024.
* The six teams are: Manipal Tigers, Toyam Hyderabad, Southern Superstars, India Capitals, Konark Suryas Odisha and Gujarat Greats.
* The four venues are: Barkatullah Stadium (Jodhpur), Lalbhai Contractor Stadium (Surat), Maulana Azad Stadium (Jammu) and Bakshi Stadium (Srinagar).
* The top two finishers of the group league will play the final in Srinagar on October 16.
KONARK SURYAS ODISHA TEAM: Irfan Pathan, Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Rajesh Bishnoi, Shahbaz Nadeem, Praveen Tambe, Diwesh Pathania, KP Appanna (all India), Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder (both New Zealand), Kevin O Brian (Ireland), Ben Laughlin (Australia), Richard Levi (South Africa), Navin Stewart, Fidel Edwards and Kevon Cooper (all West Indies), Dilshan Munaweera (Sri Lanka).
AUCTION AMOUNT OF KSO PLAYERS: Kevin OBrien (Rs 29.17 lakhs), Ross Taylor (Rs 50.34 lakhs), Vinay Kumar (Rs 33 lakhs), Richard Levi (Rs 17 lakhs), Dilshan Munaweera (Rs 15.5 lakhs), Shahbaz Nadeem (Rs 35 lakhs), Fidel Edwards (Rs 29 lakhs), Ben Laughlin (Rs 23 lakhs), Rajesh Bishnoi (Rs 19 lakhs), Pravin Tambe (Rs 28 lakhs), Diwesh Pathania (Rs 5 lakhs), KP Appanna (Rs 10 lakhs).
MATCH RESULTS OF KONARK SURYAS ODISHA:
20 September 2024 (Match 1 at Barkatullah Stadium, Jodhpur): Konark Suryas Odisha 104/9 in 20 overs (Irfan Pathan 18; Obus Pienaar 2/10, Anureet Singh 2/26) beat Manipal Tigers 102/8 in 20 overs (Obus Pienaar 34, Daniel Christian 30; Dilshan Munaweera 2/11, Vinay Kumar 2/21, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/25) by 2 runs. Legend of the Match: Vinay Kumar.
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PHOTO: Konark Suryas Odisha captain Irfan Pathan celebrates after winning their LLC debut match against Manipal Tigers in Jodhpur on 20 September 2024.