Legends League Cricket (LLC): Irfan Pathan-led Konark Suryas Odisha to open campaign on Sept 20

Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to sports in Odisha, the newly-formed team Konark Suryas Odisha will begin their campaign in season 3 of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) on September 20.
Led by flamboyant former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, Konark Suryas Odisha will face Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers, the defending champions, in the inaugural match of the tournament at Barkatullah Stadium in Jodhpur.
Irfan apart, his elder brother and power-hitter Yusuf Pathan, dependable batter Ambati Rayudu, pacers Vinay Kumar and Diwesh Pathania, left-arm spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and KP Apanna, leg-spinner Pravin Tambe and batter Rajesh Bishnoi are the other Indian players who are part of Konark Suryas squad.
Overseas players include West Indian pacers Fidel Edwards and Navin Stewart, New Zealand batter Ross Taylor, South African batter Richard Levi, Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien, Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Munaweera and Australian medium-pacer Ben Laughlin.
While Odisha’s cricket fans will have their own team to back in franchise cricket, team owners Sanpriya Group have taken the initiative to strengthen sports culture in the state.
Schedule of the Konark Surya Odisha in Legends League Cricket (LLC)
September 20: Konark Surya Odisha vs Manipal Tigers (7: pm) — Jodhpur
September 27: Konark Surya Odisha vs Manipal Tigers (7 pm) — Surat
September 29 : Konark Surya Odisha vs India Capitals (7 pm) — Surat
October 2 : Konark Surya Odisha vs Southern Superstars (7 pm) — Surat
October 4 : Konark Surya Odisha vs India Capitals (3 pm) — Jammu
October 6 : Konark Surya Odisha vs Hyderabad (7 pm) — Jammu
October 4 : Konark Surya Odisha vs Gujarat (7 pm) — Srinagar
The top four teams from the group stage will qualify for the play-offs. A total of 25 matches will be played in the tournament, including the Eliminator, Qualifiers, Semifinal and Final.
Previous seasons
The presence of a clutch of retired international cricketers ensured a major fan following in Legends League Cricket since its inception in 2022.

The inaugural season was won by the Gautam Gambhir-led India Capitals, who defeated Bhilwara Kings by 104 runs in the final. In the second season, Manipal Tigers lifted the trophy by outclassing Urbanrisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets.