Keonjhar Miners Triumph Over Kataka Panthers in Odisha T20 League

In a gripping match at the Barabati Stadium, Keonjhar Miners triumphed over Kataka Panthers by 26 runs in the Odisha T20 League. Key performances included Rajesh Dhupar's top score of 58 and Vageesh Sharma's impressive bowling figures of 4/33. The match showcased thrilling moments and strategic plays, making it a must-read for cricket enthusiasts. Discover how the Miners secured their victory and the impact of the weather on other matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 00:02 IST

Keonjhar Miners Secure Victory in T20 Clash

Cuttack (Odisha) [India], September 26: In a thrilling encounter at the Barabati Stadium, Keonjhar Miners clinched a decisive 26-run victory against Kataka Panthers during the Bharat Masala Odisha T20 League CM Trophy. The win was propelled by a robust batting display and a disciplined bowling effort spearheaded by Vageesh Sharma.

After opting to bat first, Keonjhar Miners set a challenging target of 187 runs, finishing their innings at 187/8 over 20 overs. Key contributions came from Rajesh Dhupar, captain Subhranshu Senapati, and Sujal Singh.

Dhupar emerged as the top scorer, amassing 58 runs off 40 balls, while Senapati added a quick 36 runs from just 21 deliveries. Sujal remained not out at 42 runs off 30 balls, ensuring Keonjhar posted a competitive score.

Despite losing an early wicket, Keonjhar Miners recovered well, thanks to a significant 82-run partnership for the second wicket between Dhupar and Senapati, which laid a solid foundation for their innings. Although Kataka Panthers managed to take wickets at crucial moments, Sujal's unbeaten innings helped maintain a steady scoring rate.

Biplab Samantray was a standout bowler for Kataka Panthers, finishing with figures of 1/26 in his four overs.

In their chase, Kataka Panthers faced difficulties early on, finding themselves at 48/3. Samantray and Kartik Biswal tried to stabilize the innings, adding 29 runs for the fourth wicket before Biswal was dismissed for 22 runs off 13 balls while attempting to accelerate the scoring.

As wickets continued to tumble, Kataka Panthers were ultimately bowled out for 161 runs in the final over, falling short of the target by 26 runs.

Vageesh Sharma was instrumental in Keonjhar's bowling attack, taking 4 wickets for 33 runs in four overs, consistently breaking partnerships and thwarting any chance of a late comeback from Kataka at the historic Barabati Stadium.

Reflecting on his performance, Vageesh expressed, “It feels great to contribute to the team’s success. Taking wickets at crucial times boosts my confidence, and I’m pleased that my efforts helped Keonjhar secure the win.”

Vageesh was honored as the Player of the Match, while Rajesh Dhupar received the Moment of the Match award.

In another match scheduled for the morning, Rourkela Superstars and Bhubaneswar Tigers had their game abandoned due to continuous rain.