Bihar Cricket Association clears to play in Elite Group for the first time in Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
For the first time, Bihar will play in the Elite group in the 2024-2025 Ranji Trophy since Jharkhand was separated from the state in 2000. They have been placed in Elite, Group C, along with Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, and four other teams. Bihar will play their first match against Haryana in Rohtak beginning October 11.
However, the squad for the Ranji Trophy was named after the Patna High Court intervened to resolve the politically charged situation within the association. It may be recalled that two Bihar teams had turned up for the 2023-2024 Ranji Trophy game against Mumbai at Patna's Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in January this year following the power struggles within the association. Even though the squad has been officially announced, the factions within the association continue to derail Bihar cricket.
Story of the split
After Jharkhand split away from Bihar in 2000, the state of Bihar was no longer represented in the Ranji Trophy. Jharkhand played in the Ranji as most of the cricketing infrastructure remained there after the split. Players such as MS Dhoni and Ishan Kishan from Jharkhand went on to play for the national team. It was Dhoni who brought Jharkhand into the limelight, going on to become the most successful India captain ever.
Meanwhile, Bihar cricket continued to remain in oblivion, and it was only in 2018 that the BCCI reinstated the state team for the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy. Bihar went on to win the Plate Group Final of the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy. But the politics in the association, coupled with the poor cricketing infrastructure, continues to cripple Bihar cricket.
The road ahead for Bihar
Nevertheless, the return to Ranji Elite action extends hope for Bihar cricket and their players to use this opportunity and shine in this competitive tournament, making their mark in the sport. Some of the players in the Ranji squad have been part of IPL teams. Veer Pratap Singh, who is leading the team in the 2024-25 Ranji, has been a member of the Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders squads before. A few impact innings from Bihar cricketers would help them come to the notice of selectors and even the IPL scouts. They can even bag a lucrative T20 contract in the IPL auction.
Also, if the Bihar players spring a surprise or two in the Ranji and show there is talent galore in the state, it might prompt the BCCI to have a look at Bihar’s cricketing infrastructure and invest in it. A talent coming out of Bihar and making a mark would just be the right impetus needed to get attention to Bihar cricket. The likes of Riyan Parag from Assam, going on to play IPL and representing India, have given a boost to inspiring young budding talent in the state. Now, it’s up to Bihar players to prove themselves in the Ranji trophy not only for themselves but for Bihar cricket as well.
Squad for 2024-25 Ranji Trophy: Veer Pratap Singh (capt), Shakibul Gani (vice-capt), Bipin Sourabh, Akash Raj, Shraman Nigrodh (wk), Babul Kumar, Ayush Loharuka (wk), Raghwendra Pratap Singh, Mayank Choudhary, Himanshu Singh, Sachin Kumar Singh, Abhijeet Saket, Anuj Raj, Shakib Hussain, Shabbir Khan, Rishav Raj, Harsh Vikram Singh, Jitin Kumar Yadav, Yashpal Yadav, Rishi Raj
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