Kolkata: Winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate final earlier this month in Ranchi, Bihar completed the domestic double in emphatic fashion as they won the Ranji Trophy Plate group summit clash with a massive 568-run victory over Manipur in Patna on Monday. Bihar recorded the feat beating the same opponents twice in three weeks’ time.As evident from the victory margin, the Sakibul Gani-led side produced a dominant, one-sided display over their northeast rivals at home ground of Moin-ul-Haq Stadium to ensure their comeback into Ranji Trophy Elite next season. Relegated to Plate Group this season after finishing their 2024-25 Elite Group C matches with least point (1) among all the 32 Elite teams combined, this promotion is historic for Bihar.Adjudged player of the match for a rearguard century in the first innings after his team was down to 79/5 batting first on a seaming track, a proud captain said after the final, “I want to congratulate all the people of Bihar. I also want to thank Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) 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.“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 (264) and then again got them out cheaply (195) in the second innings to complete a huge, outright win.”Saying they would stick to same approach in the Elite next season, Gani added with confidence, “We will try to practise more and become champions as well in the next four-five years.”Proud of his wards’ achievement in bringing laurels to state cricket, Bihar coach Vinayak Samant told TOI from Mumbai, “I got a good bunch of players who were always ready to give their best in the practice sessions as well as matches.”Heaping praises on his skipper, the former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter and coach said on Tuesday, “I am very fortunate to get a player and captain like him. Gani is a khadoos player. You know what we say in Mumbai cricket; he is a gutsy and determined cricketer, who never gives up, hates losing, and refuses to throw his wicket. He is shrewd and smart. I had a very good partnership with him, who always leads from the front.”However, the Mumbaikar was quick to acknowledge others’ contributions. “Apart from Gani, all the players, especially Ayush (Loharuka), Bipin (Saurabh), Akash (Raj) and Suraj (Kashyap) were excellent. Suraj is young and a very talented guy, he will develop into a much better player in the future. I give full credit to the BCA administration for all their support,” he added. BCA president Harsh Vardhan said after the win, “The players have shown tremendous mental strength, resilience and character throughout the tournament. They responded with maturity and self-belief to deliver under pressure. This title is a result of their hard work, unity and commitment to Bihar cricket. I am extremely proud of the way the players represented the state on and off the field.”“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,” added BCA secretary Ziaul Arfeen.Brief scores: Bihar 522 & 505/6 decl. Manipur 264 & 195. Bihar won by 568 runs.
