OCA signs IPL contract for Rs 60 lakh

Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) has signed Rs 60 lakh contract with Deccan Chargers team for two matches of Indian Premium League 2012 that starts on April 4. The matches will be played on April 19 and 22 at Cuttack Barbati stadium.

In return, Deccan chargers will sell tickets at for the two matches of the fifth season of IPL. The Hyderabad-based team has been playing home matches at Cuttack since 2010, when IPL Governing Council refused to clear Hyderabad as a venue in fear of Telengana movement and law and order situation arising out of it in Andhra Pradesh.

To pull Orissa crowds, the team has inducted two Oriya players. It signed Orissa Premier League star Biplab Samanatray couple of days back for Rs 30 lakh. On Sunday, it inducted Paresh Patel in its team as well.

The team has also reduced gallery ticket prices as part of its strategy to entice cricket loving fans in the state, informed Venkat Reddy, chief operating officer of the IPL franchisee.

Besides Cuttack, the team also plays at Nagpur.