Odia Cricketer Subhranshu Senapati Makes It Through IPL 2022 Auction

Odia Cricketer Subhranshu Senapati Makes It Through IPL 2022 Auction

In very good news for the state, cricketer Subhranshu Senapati of Odisha was picked up by the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs. 20 lakh on the second day of the Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction on Sunday. He will lead Odisha in the upcoming Ranji Trophy as well. 

Notably, he was called for trials by Chennai Super Kings in December 2021 after his recent splendid performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Lakshmipathy Balaji, Arun Karthik and Ambati Rayudu had supervised the trials and given him positive feedback.

The right-handed middle-order batter also went to Mumbai Indians’ trials, which were supervised by Parthiv Patel. However, the trials of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Supergiants had to be cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Apart from batting, Subhranshu is also a dependable bowler and quick fielder which make him a good package. 

Subhranshu made his senior debut in the 2016-17 season and has since established himself as Odisha’s batting mainstay. He has so far amassed 1854 runs from 34 first-class matches at an average of 37.83, including five centuries and seven fifties. The Keonjhar-born also has 637 T20 runs to his credit at an average of 28.95 and a strike rate of 122.26. He had also featured in the IPL 2021 auction list but remained unsold. 

The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) had also recently named him as the skipper of this year’s Ranji team from the state. Speaking on Subhranshu’s addition into the CSK camp, cricket analyst Sambit Mahapatra said it will be a big step for not only Subhranshu, but for the cricket scene in Odisha. Reportedly, Subhranshu impressed the CSK camp, especially Mahendra Singh Dhoni when asked to perform in the nets. 

This major development brings in much cheer for cricket lovers in Odisha and the Odisha Cricket Association because it is an end to a long wait for the inclusion of a cricketer from the state in the most popular cash-rich cricket league. 

Notably, Halhadar Das was the first cricketer from Odisha to make IPL debut playing for Deccan Chargers in the 2008 edition of the IPL. Four years later, all-rounder Biplab Samantaray was also bought by the same franchise.