Sambalpur Warriors launched their Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy campaign with a commanding 9-run victory over Kataka Panthers at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on 21 September 2026. Captain Gaurav Choudhary's blistering 88 off 46 balls laid the foundation for a total that ultimately proved too steep for the Panthers.

Warriors' Dominant Innings

Sent in to bat, Sambalpur Warriors rode a blazing 135-run opening stand to post 193/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Choudhary was the architect, driving and dispatching with equal authority — his innings was studded with nine fours and six sixes, maintaining an attacking intent throughout.

Opening partner Shantanu Mishra provided the ideal foil, compiling a composed 60 off 40 balls before departing. The two set a platform that effectively put the match in the Warriors' hands early. Once Choudhary fell, however, the innings lost its engine; the Warriors shed wickets at regular intervals and could not significantly accelerate beyond what the top order had built.

For the Panthers, Abhishek Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming an impressive 3/32 from four overs to limit some of the damage in the back end.

Panthers' Valiant but Insufficient Chase

The Panthers' run chase began in crisis. They lost two wickets inside the opening overs and were in deeper trouble by the end of the powerplay, reduced to four wickets down within the first six overs. The target of 194 looked distant at that stage.

MG Gopal and Kartik Biswal combined to revive the chase in spirited fashion. While Gopal anchored one end, Biswal took the aggressive route, counter-attacking the Warriors' bowlers at the historic Barabati Stadium — a venue that has hosted international cricket. Biswal's 56 off 28 balls rekindled hope, but his dismissal at deep mid-wicket proved the turning point. Without him, wickets continued to fall, and the Panthers finished on 184/9, falling nine runs short.

Awards and Choudhary's Reaction

Gaurav Choudhary was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock, with the award presented by Surendra Natha Panda, Chairman and Founder of Bharat Masala. The Moment of the Match was presented to OM-T Munde by Sibaprasad Tripathi, Member of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).

Reflecting on the win, Choudhary said: 'It feels great to start the tournament with a win. As a team, we wanted to begin on a positive note, and I am happy that I could contribute with the bat. The partnership with Shantanu gave us a strong platform, and we were able to put up a competitive total. There are areas we can improve, but getting the first win gives us good confidence going forward.'

What to Watch Next

The Warriors will carry momentum and confidence into their next fixture, while the Panthers face the challenge of addressing a fragile top order that capitulated under pressure in the powerplay. The Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy is set to continue with further group stage fixtures at the Barabati Stadium.