The news about Odisha cricketer Subhranshu Senapati being bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the auction for the Indian Premier League 2022 has gladdened the hearts of cricket lovers in the state. Subhranshu, a prolific batsman for Odisha in the Ranji Trophy, is also a useful bowler and a fleet-footed fielder. That makes him an attractive package for any team. He is said to have impressed CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the nets.
While this is a golden opportunity for Subhranshu, it also raises hopes among other promising Odisha cricketers of getting picked up for the IPL in the future. This is a tournament that not only makes the players rich but also boosts their chances to play for the country someday.
As it is, very few players from Odisha have so far taken part in the IPL. Way back in 2008, wicketkeeper-batsman Haladhar Das had made his IPL debut for Deccan Chargers. However, he could manage to score just 2 runs in the home game against Mumbai Indians. Released by Deccan Chargers after that season, he continued to play domestic cricket for the next few years.
Former state Ranji captain Biplab Samantray was the Odisha cricketer with maximum IPL experience. He represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in nine matches between 2012 and 2015. An excellent right-handed batsman, who could bowl occasionally, Samantray made his Ranji debut for Odisha in the 2010-11 season. He has played 46 first-class matches. The 33-year-old was also a member of the East Zone team which won the maiden Duleep Trophy title in 2011-12.
Two other Odias have featured in the IPL but they never represented Odisha. The most prominent name, of course, is former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who played for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. But he never played for his home state. Allrounder Abhishek Raut turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the 2009 IPL season but he was a member of the Maharashtra Ranji team at that time.
The selection of Senapati is, thus, important because it has brought players from Odisha back into focus. The state has produced some excellent cricketers, including former India opener Shiv Sunder Das and former Indian pacer Debashish Mohanty. Unfortunately, the international career of both of them was short-lived – but they remain an inspiration for the cricketers of the younger generation.
What the players from our state need most at this juncture is world-class coaching and exposure on the big stage. The IPL provides them the right opportunity for this. Apart from giving them the opportunity to make good money, it brings them to the notice of national selectors if they perform well. For Subhranshu this is a great opportunity and it might open IPL’s doors also for other players from the state.
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