Patna: Bihar sealed a comprehensive victory over Nagaland in the final of the CK Nayudu Trophy on Saturday, defeating their opponents by 164 runs at Patna’s Moin-ul-Haq Stadium to lift the title. The emphatic win marked Bihar’s third trophy of the season and underlined the side’s growing stature in domestic cricket.
After opting to bat first, Bihar laid the foundation for success with a commanding first-innings total of 482. The hosts combined patience with attacking strokeplay, steadily building partnerships that pushed Nagaland onto the defensive and ensured control of the contest from the outset.
Nagaland struggled to respond under pressure, managing scores of 155 and 163 across their two innings. Despite brief resistance, the visitors were unable to close the gap, eventually falling short of Bihar’s total and conceding defeat by a wide margin. The gulf in runs reflected Bihar’s dominance with both bat and ball over the course of the match.
The standout performance came from Naman Gaurav, whose assured double century anchored the innings and proved decisive in tilting the balance. His 200-run knock not only stabilised Bihar’s batting effort but also set the tone for a one-sided final.
Speaking after the match, captain Suraj Kashyap said the team’s strategy had been to assert control early through a strong first innings, a plan that was executed with discipline. Head coach Pawan praised the players’ coordination and work ethic, describing the triumph as a promising sign for the future of cricket in the state and a boost for Bihar’s emerging talent pool.
