Bihar Secures Dominant Victory to Return to Ranji Trophy Elite Group
In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Bihar delivered a crushing 568-run victory over Manipur in the Ranji Trophy Plate final on Monday. This emphatic win seals Bihar's triumphant return to the prestigious Elite Group, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. The match, held in New Delhi, showcased Bihar's all-round strength, with standout performances from both batsmen and bowlers.
Piyush Singh's Double Century Sets the Tone
The foundation of Bihar's massive win was laid by opener Piyush Singh, who played a superb unbeaten innings of 216 runs off 322 balls in the second innings. His double century was a masterclass in patience and aggression, allowing Bihar to pile on the runs against a hapless Manipur bowling attack. Singh's innings followed impressive centuries from skipper Sakibul Gani, who scored 108, and Bipin Saurabh, who made 143 in the first innings, setting a solid platform for the team.
Bowling Attack Decimates Manipur's Lineup
Bihar's bowlers complemented the batting fireworks with sharp spells that dismantled Manipur's resistance. Spinners Suraj Kumar Kashyap and Himanshu Singh were particularly effective, picking up three wickets each in the second innings. Kashyap finished with figures of 3/32, while Singh took 3/49, ensuring Manipur had no chance of mounting a comeback. The bowling attack left Manipur reeling early, reducing them to 50 for 5 within 14 overs, a collapse that deepened to 70 for 7 by the 23rd over.
Manipur's Brief Resistance and Final Collapse
Despite the overwhelming odds, Manipur showed glimpses of fight, primarily through teenager Pheiroijam Jotin. The 19-year-old played a gritty innings, scoring 74 off 102 balls and briefly holding up Bihar's charge. Jotin later added 83 runs for the eighth wicket with L. Kishan Singha, who contributed 30 off 76 balls, momentarily threatening to deny Bihar an outright victory. However, once pacer Akash Raj removed Kishan Singha in the 44th over, the outcome became inevitable. Jotin fell a few overs later, bringing an end to Manipur's last resistance.
Strategic Declaration and Match Wrap-Up
Bihar's tactical approach was evident in their declaration on the final day. After Raghuvendra Pratap Singh fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for his overnight score of 90, skipper Sakibul Gani called for an early declaration. This decision gave Bihar a full day to bowl out Manipur, a move that paid off handsomely. Bihar had set Manipur a daunting target of 764 runs after declaring their second innings at 505 for 6, following a first-innings total of 522. Manipur was bowled out for 264 in the first innings and 195 in the second, sealing the massive victory.
Bihar's Turbulent Journey and Rebuilding Phase
Bihar's Ranji Trophy journey has been marked by turbulence, with the side briefly breaking into the Elite Group in the 2022-23 season before slipping back to the Plate Group in 2024-25. Now back in the top tier, Bihar is pushing ahead with a rebuilding phase under skipper Sakibul Gani. The team is bolstered by the promise of teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, indicating a bright future ahead. This victory follows another promotion earlier this month, where Bihar earned a spot in the Elite League of the Vijay Hazare Trophy by defeating Manipur by six wickets in the final.
Brief Scores:
- Bihar: 522 and 505 for 6 decl (Piyush Singh 216, Raghuvendra Pratap Singh 90; Pheiroijam Jotin 3/85)
- Manipur: 264 and 195 in 56.1 overs (Pheiroijam Jotin 74; Prashant Singh 2/51, S Kashyap 3/32, H Singh 3/49)
