Puri Titans co-owner Nitesh Choudhary has outlined an ambitious grassroots vision for the franchise's participation in the Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy, emphasising player development over short-term results. Speaking in Cuttack on 26 September 2026, Choudhary said the franchise's primary motivation is creating a structured pathway for young Odisha cricketers to reach the highest levels of the game.

Development Over Results

'The players are definitely the reason we are here. We are here for their development,' Choudhary said, framing the franchise's broader purpose within the state league. He argued that Odisha already possesses the infrastructure and talent base needed to produce elite cricketers — what has been missing, in his view, is organised opportunity and exposure.

Choudhary also invoked the cultural identity of the region, noting that the franchise carries the goodwill attached to the state's most revered name. 'In Odisha, if something happens, it starts with a good name — Jai Jagannath,' he said.

State Leagues as a Scouting Highway

Choudhary sees the Odisha T20 League as a critical stepping stone for cricketers on the cusp of a breakthrough. 'These leagues give a platform to youngsters to take the next step. Scouts come and watch them, identify talented players and help them move faster towards the next stage, whether it is the IPL or the national team,' he said.

This framing aligns with a broader trend across Indian cricket, where state T20 leagues have increasingly served as feeder pipelines — mirroring the role played by competitions like the Tamil Nadu Premier League and Saurashtra Premier League in producing domestic circuit regulars. For Odisha, a state that has punched below its weight in cricket relative to its sporting culture, such a platform carries particular significance.

Squad Assembly and Coaching Collaboration

Choudhary described the squad selection process as a collective effort rather than top-down decision-making. 'It is not an individual thing. We have a collective team of staff and management. We all decided together and stayed in touch with the coaches,' he said. The team assessed its requirements across batting, spin, pace and all-round options before finalising what the management considered the strongest available Odisha-based pool.

Nutrition, Wellness and Off-Field Support

Drawing on his own background as a former footballer, Choudhary said athlete welfare extends well beyond the boundary. 'My background is that I have been a sportsperson myself, so I know how important nutrition and wellness are for players,' he said. The franchise has partnered with Livya Wellness to provide players with access to nutrition and wellness support — an area that remains underdeveloped at the grassroots level across most state cricket ecosystems.

Long-Term Promise and What's Next

Choudhary set a concrete ambition for the franchise's medium-term horizon. 'We promise that in the coming years, we will give at least one player who can reach the highest level in Indian cricket,' he said. He also noted that an IPL call-up for a Titans player would directly strengthen the franchise's own standing and credibility. The team's grassroots scouting network is set to expand through partnerships with local academies and development programmes, with the aim of identifying talent beyond the established circuit.