. SP XI Emerges Champion, Tikiri Railway XI Runner-Up
Bureau,Odishabarta
Rayagada, 15/2: The one-day day-and-night friendly Stakeholders Cricket Match–2026 was successfully organized at the Oshapada Township playground by Utkal Alumina International Ltd, (UAIL), a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries of Aditya Birla Group located at Doraguda under Tikiri in Rayagada district.
A total of six teams participated in the tournament: Collector XI, SP XI, Visakhapatnam Railway XI, Tikiri Railway XI, CRPF XI, and the host team Hindalco XI.
At the outset, Unit Head Mr. Rabi Narayan Mishra attended the event and encouraged the players to demonstrate true sportsmanship and deliver their best performance.
During the league stage, three matches were played. Tikiri Railway XI defeated Visakhapatnam Railway XI to secure a direct entry into the final. Meanwhile, SP XI and Hindalco XI advanced to the semifinal after winning their respective league matches. In an exciting semifinal encounter, SP XI defeated Hindalco XI to book their place in the final.
In the final match, Tikiri Railway XI had already qualified based on a superior run rate in the league stage and faced SP XI directly. Winning the toss, SP XI opted to bowl first. Tikiri Railway XI were bowled out for a fighting total of 44 runs in 9 overs. In response, SP XI comfortably chased the target, losing three wickets to clinch the title.
Following their victory in the Friendly Stakeholders Match–2026, the winning SP XI team was presented with the trophy and medals by Guest Sub-Collector Mr. Ramesh Kumar Jena, UAIL Unit Head Mr. Rabi Narayan Mishra, and Aditya Refinery Project Head Mr. Mazhar Beig.
The runner-up trophy and medals were awarded to Tikiri Railway XI by Deputy Collector Mr. Kailash Chandra Swain, along with Mr. Mishra and Mr. Beg. Players who excelled in various categories were also felicitated by the dignitaries.
Ramakant was awarded Best Bowler of the tournament. Sikandar received recognition for Best Catch, Shubhankar for Best Wicketkeeping, while N. Satpathy, Mohan, and Akash were awarded Man of the Match honors in different matches.
On this occasion, the distinguished guests included Mr. Firoz Kujru, Commandant of the 4th Battalion of CRPF, Lt. Commandant Mr. Sanjay Raut, ICC of Doraguda Police Station Ms. Kiran Bala Samal, and Reserve Police Inspector Mr. Kabibar Dehuri. along with other officials from UAIL and Aditya Refinery were also present.
The tournament was organized under the direct supervision of PR, Liaison & Corporate Affairs GM Mr. Pitambar Behera with cooperation of UAIL dept heads and members of organising committee. The arrangements for stage decoration, refreshments and food were managed with the direct support of UAIL Admin manager Mr. Bhoj Raj Das.
