Odisha Cricket Team Players

The players’ draft for Odisha T20 League 2026 – CM Trophy was held by the Odisha Cricket Association on Sunday. Each franchise picked 16 players during the draft, completing their squads ahead of the new season.

Odisha is a state with a lot of cricket talent. The Odisha Cricket Team Players have represented the state across domestic competitions, but Odisha has never achieved any real domestic glory.

Virendra Sehwag

One of the greatest batsmen that India has ever produced, Virendra Sehwag was a man who had no equal when it came to batting. Having the right combination of talent, hand-eye coordination and mental acumen, his batting style was unlike any other and was awe inspiring to watch. He was a natural predator in the lower order, and a prolific scorer in all forms of the game.

He made his debut for Delhi in the 1997-98 season and was selected for the Duleep Trophy in the 1998-99 season, where he finished fifth in the overall run-scoring list. He was also part of the Board Presidents XI team that played touring Pakistan in February 1999, where he scored a quick-fire 183 in a single innings.

During the India-England ODI series in January 2002, Saurav Gangulys injury gave Sehwag an opportunity to open. He made the most of it by scoring 82 from 64 balls in Kanpur, thus proving his mettle as a frontline opener. This performance earned him a regular spot in the Indian ODI side.

In the Test arena, Sehwag was an absolute thorn in the oppositions sides and broke numerous records. He was a brilliant stroke player who took apart bowling attacks and was an expert in laying into the new ball.

He was also a very accomplished test match run scorer and was the first player from any country to win Wisdens Leading Cricketer of the Year award in 2008, beating legendary players such as Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara in the process.

In IPL, he was the captain of Delhi Daredevils for the first two editions before passing on the responsibility to Gautam Gambhir, then of Kolkata Knight Riders. After retiring from test cricket, he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab in the auctions and scored a brilliant 58-ball 122 in the eliminator against Mumbai Indians in 2014.

Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal is an exciting leg spinner with the ability to extract a lot of turn from the wicket. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2013-14 and has been a regular feature in the Karnataka side ever since. His googly has troubled some of the best batsmen in the world, including Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

He was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the 2014 IPL auction but struggled to get many chances before being released. He was then bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 auctions and became a key member of their team, particularly in games at Jaipur where the pitch favoured spinners.

Gopal has modeled his action on the legendary Anil Kumble although the veteran must be proud of the revs that Gopal imparts on the ball, thereby getting it to spin considerably. With a solid domestic season under his belt, Gopal is now looking to take his game to the next level so that he can earn a national call up.

He is a talented spinner and his time will come soon. He can make a big difference for the nation in the years to come. His bowling has improved a great deal over the last year or so and he will be a force to reckon with in the future.

Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary, born on November 14, 1985 in Howrah, West Bengal, is an Indian cricketer whose journey has been a story of dedication and skill.

His batting technique and fighting spirit on the field have left an indelible mark on cricket, making him a role model for aspiring young players. He has earned the respect of fans and critics alike with his consistent performances at both domestic and international levels.

Tiwary made his debut in the Ranji Trophy in 2004 and soon established himself as one of Bengal’s top batsmen. His performances in the domestic circuit helped him secure a spot in the Indian team.

He went on to play 15 ODIs for the country, and also represented Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. He is known for his ability to anchor innings and score crucial runs in pressure situations.

Despite his limited international appearances, Tiwary was a key member of the KKR batting line-up during the 2012 IPL season. He was instrumental in bringing them back to the playoffs after a disappointing start. His nerveless cameo in the final helped him seal victory for his side. Tiwary was a popular figure in the franchise and was well-liked by the fans.

After retiring from cricket, he entered politics and became a member of the Lok Sabha representing North East Delhi for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He is a strong voice for marginalized communities and has a reputation of being a people’s representative. His political agenda focuses on issues that are unique to his constituency. Manoj is also a successful businessman and has a number of ventures in the retail sector.

Ishant Sharma

One of India’s finest fast bowlers, Ishant Sharma is a towering figure on the field. His height, speed and stamina have made him an unrivaled force on the pitch. He is a dependable leader for India’s fast-bowling unit that has achieved dominant home records and historic series victories in England and Australia.

Ishant was called up to the national team in January 2008 to replace injured Zaheer Khan for the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He seized the opportunity with both hands and made a significant impact with a brilliant spell in England’s second innings at Lord’s. He took seven wickets to help India secure a historic victory.

A few years later, Ishant was part of the Indian squad that won a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He picked up a total of 13 wickets during the series, including a five-wicket haul in the final match at SSC. He was named the man of the match in both the first and third Tests, becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to do so.

Ishant has also excelled in franchise cricket, representing Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers before joining Delhi Capitals. His versatility and ability to bounce back from a bad patch have allowed him to carve out a successful career.

Domestically, Odisha has been less successful, although the Odisha Cricket Team Players have continued to contribute to the state’s cricketing journey.

A lack of talent has been cited as a reason, but there’s more to it than that. According to author Raju Mukherji, the state has a lack of exposure to the positive aspects of playing cricket, and this has led many talented players to pursue careers in medicine, law and other professional fields.

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