Bihar has firmly established its dominance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate 2025-26, securing a third consecutive and emphatic victory. On Monday, they dismantled Meghalaya by eight wickets in a one-sided encounter at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, further solidifying their strong position in the group standings.
Meghalaya's Batting Struggles and Bihar's Bowling Discipline
After winning the toss and opting to field first, Bihar's decision immediately paid dividends. Their bowling unit applied relentless pressure, preventing Meghalaya's batters from building any substantial partnerships. The top order crumbled consistently under the disciplined attack.
The lone resistance for Meghalaya came from Ram Gurung, who remained not out on 56 runs from 64 balls, fighting a solitary battle to anchor the innings. He received some late support from Anish Charak (32) and a blistering cameo from Akash Choudhary, who smashed 26 runs off just eight deliveries. Despite these efforts, Meghalaya could only post a modest total of 217 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.
Bihar's bowling was clinical and well-organized. Sabir Khan emerged as the most successful bowler, claiming three crucial wickets. He was ably supported by Mangal Mahrour and Himanshu Tiwari, who picked up two wickets each, effectively stifling the run flow throughout the innings.
Bihar's Commanding Chase Led by Piyush Singh's Ton
Chasing a target of 218, Bihar's innings began with explosive intent, though they suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Mangal Mahrour for just four runs. The early fireworks were provided by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who played a breathtaking knock of 31 runs from a mere 10 balls. His innings, laced with six fours and a six at a strike rate exceeding 300, set a formidable tone before he was dismissed in the fifth over.
Following his departure, Piyush Singh and Akash Raj steered the chase with immense composure and skill. Piyush Singh was the undisputed star of the show, playing a magnificent, unbeaten century. He scored 100 not out from just 88 balls, an innings decorated with 14 fours and one six, showcasing calm authority at the crease.
Akash Raj played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on a well-crafted 75 from 90 balls. Together, they forged a massive, unbroken partnership that guided Bihar home without any further alarms. The team comfortably reached 220 for 2 in just 32.3 overs, sealing a comprehensive win with plenty of overs to spare.
Implications and Looking Ahead
This convincing eight-wicket triumph marks Bihar's third win on the trot in the tournament, significantly boosting their net run rate and position in the Plate group table. The victory was built on a complete team performance—a disciplined bowling effort followed by a powerful and calculated batting display.
The form of centurion Piyush Singh and the explosive potential of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provide Bihar with a formidable batting lineup. Coupled with a penetrative bowling attack led by Sabir Khan, the team appears to be a strong contender for top honors in the Plate group as the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season progresses.
