All eyes on India-England Test match, while a new T20 league on the lines of IPL has been announced in the country

As all the eyes are focused on the second Test match being hosted at Edgbaston in Birmingham under the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy, on similar lines of the IPL, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is also set to introduce a new T20 league named 'Odisha Pro T20 League' (OPTL). The inaugural edition of OPTL will be conducted in September 2025. Six teams will feature in it. The league will serve as a significant platform for the state's cricket stars to demonstrate their potential. The players will have an opportunity to play at a high level and develop their talent alongside the best players.

Odisha Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Behera said, "The Odisha Pro T20 League is a transformational step for our state's cricket journey. We are confident that this league will become a major force in Indian domestic cricket. Odisha as a state has been contributing significantly to the development of many sports and now it is cricket's time."

The Odisha Cricket Association has tied up with Ariva Sports to run the OPTL successfully. Ariva Sports has successfully run the Bengal, Vidarbha and Saurashtra T20 leagues. Ariva Sports co-founder Rajneesh Chopra said, "We are excited to partner with the OCA to create a league that will promote cricket development at the grassroots level along with entertainment. The Odisha Pro T20 League has the potential to unearth hidden talents and make a significant contribution to the state's cricketing future."

The Odisha Cricket Association has invited organizations to acquire the ownership rights of the franchises. The form will be available on the official website of OCA from July 7 to 13.

Interested applicants will have to follow the guidelines written in the EOI. Franchise allocation will be done through a merit-based process, focusing on long-term vision and commitment to the development of cricket in Odisha. Announcements regarding tournament schedule, team structure, player draft and commercial partnerships will be made in the coming time.