Bhubaneswar, September 15, 2026: OCL Iron & Steels Limited has been announced as the Franchise Owner of Keonjhar Miners for the upcoming Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy 2026, marking a new chapter in the company’s entry into professional franchise cricket and strengthening its association with the sporting ecosystem in Odisha.
The association with Keonjhar Miners brings together the industrial legacy of the region with the growing popularity of cricket in Odisha. For OCL Iron & Steels, the partnership represents an opportunity to support sporting talent and contribute to a platform that is creating greater visibility and professional opportunities for emerging cricketers from the state.
The franchise ownership framework positions team owners as custodians of cricket in Odisha, with an important role in nurturing regional talent and helping create pathways for players who aspire to represent the state and the country.
The partnership is structured as a five-year association, with franchise partners operating their respective team.The league’s franchise model has been developed by the Odisha Cricket Association to provide a structured platform for competitive domestic T20 cricket in the state. The MOU framework identifies OCA as the governing body responsible for administering cricket in Odisha and conducting the domestic T20 league, with participating teams represented through franchises.
The franchise proposal highlights players such as Swastik Samal, Subhranshu Senapati and Rajesh Mohanty, alongside former India players from Odisha including Debasis Mohanty, Shiv Sundar Das, Pragyan Ojha and Sanjay Raul.
The Keonjhar Miners will be led by Head Coach Suryakant Pradhan, with Girija Rout as Assistant Coach. Subhransu Senapati has been named captain of the side. The squad comprises 16 players, including Rajesh Dhupar, Debabrata Pradhan, Jamala Mohapatra, Sujal Singh, Prayash Kumar Singh, Vageesh Sharma, Ayush Barik, Vimal Kumar, Jogeswar Bag, Swagat Sourav Mishra, Arnab Patnaik, Mayank Pattnayak, Kshyama Sagar Bal, Rakesh Biswal and Soyanshu Pattnayak.
Commenting on the association, Manish Khemka, Chairman cum Managing Director, OCL Iron & Steels Limited, said, “We are delighted to take on the role of Franchise Owner of the Keonjhar Miners for the Odisha T20 League, CM Trophy 2026. Cricket has a unique ability to bring communities together, and the Keonjhar Miners gives us an opportunity to build a strong sporting identity around the region while supporting emerging talent. We look forward to working with the team and being part of Odisha’s growing cricket ecosystem.”
With the squads now finalised, the Odisha T20 League – CM Trophy 2026 is set to bring together six teams for another season of competitive T20 cricket. For the Keonjhar Miners, the season marks the beginning of a new chapter connecting the sporting aspirations of Keonjhar with the wider ambitions of Odisha cricket.
About OCL Iron & Steels Limited and SM Group
OCL Iron & Steels Limited (OCL) and SM Group form a diversified industrial enterprise with an integrated presence across iron and steel manufacturing, power generation, mining, minerals, transportation, shipping, exports and supply chain solutions. OCL has developed integrated manufacturing capabilities across DRI/sponge iron, steel melting, billet casting, captive power generation and coal processing, with facilities in Odisha and Jharkhand, supported by access to key raw materials and mineral resources. SM Group has established a strong industrial and distribution network across Eastern, Northern and Southern India, serving the infrastructure and construction sectors through reliable manufacturing, efficient logistics and supply-chain capabilities. The Group is further expanding its manufacturing footprint through a Brownfield expansion in Rourkela, Odisha, and a Greenfield Integrated Steel Plant at Nimdih, Jharkhand. OCL and SM Group are strengthening their integrated capabilities across the steel value chain.
