Bihar Cricket Team Secures Historic Domestic Double with Dominant Ranji Trophy Plate Victory
In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, the Bihar cricket team has completed a historic domestic double by winning the Ranji Trophy Plate Group final with an emphatic 568-run victory over Manipur at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna on Monday. This triumph comes just weeks after they clinched the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate final in Ranchi, marking a significant achievement for the state's cricketing fraternity.
A Commanding Performance on Home Turf
Led by captain Sakibul Gani, Bihar produced a dominant, one-sided performance against their northeast rivals. The victory margin of 568 runs stands as a testament to their comprehensive superiority throughout the five-day encounter. This win ensures Bihar's promotion back into the Ranji Trophy Elite Group next season, a remarkable turnaround after being relegated to the Plate Group earlier this year.
The team had faced relegation after finishing their 2024-25 Elite Group C matches with just one point, the lowest among all 32 Elite teams. This promotion therefore represents a historic moment for Bihar cricket, showcasing their resilience and determination to bounce back stronger.
Captain's Heroics and Team Effort
Captain Sakibul Gani was adjudged Player of the Match for his rearguard century in the first innings, coming to the rescue when Bihar was struggling at 79/5 on a seaming track. Speaking after the final, a proud Gani said, "I want to congratulate all the people of Bihar. I also want to thank Bihar Cricket Association officials. Manipur started off well with very good bowling in the morning session on Day 1, but thereafter we displayed full power and strength for all the five days to complete this win."
He highlighted the collective effort, noting, "Our lower order batters came together to handle the situation and took us beyond 500 runs in the first innings. Then our bowlers were excellent to restrict Manipur around 250 runs and then again got them out cheaply in the second innings to complete a huge, outright win." Looking ahead to the Elite Group next season, Gani confidently added, "We will try to practise more and become champions as well in the next four-five years."
Coach's Praise for Team and Captain
Bihar coach Vinayak Samant, speaking from Mumbai, expressed immense pride in his team's achievement. "I got a good bunch of players who were always ready to give their best in the practice sessions as well as matches," he said, acknowledging the dedication of his squad.
Heaping special praise on captain Sakibul Gani, the former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter and coach described him as a "khadoos player" – a term in Mumbai cricket denoting a gutsy and determined cricketer who never gives up. "Gani is shrewd and smart. I had a very good partnership with him, who always leads from the front," Samant added, while also acknowledging the contributions of other key players like Ayush Loharuka, Bipin Saurabh, Akash Raj, and Suraj Kashyap.
Administrative Support and Future Prospects
BCA president Harsh Vardhan commended the team's mental strength and character throughout the tournament. "The players have shown tremendous mental strength, resilience and character throughout the tournament. They responded with maturity and self-belief to deliver under pressure," he said, attributing the title to their hard work, unity, and commitment to Bihar cricket.
BCA secretary Ziaul Arfeen added, "Winning the Ranji Trophy Plate Group title is a significant milestone for Bihar cricket. I appreciate the hard work of the players, the planning of the team management, and the contribution of the coaching staff, and hope the team continues to deliver such performances in the future."
Brief scores: Bihar 522 & 505/6 decl. Manipur 264 & 195. Bihar won by 568 runs.
