PATNA – The much-anticipated elite group match of the Ranji Trophy kicked off on Friday, overshadowed by internal disputes within the Bihar Cricket Association. Bihar won the toss and opted to invite Mumbai to bat first. By the end of the day’s play, Mumbai struggled, posting 235 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 67 overs, with Bihar’s bowlers showcasing a dominant performance.
Bhupen Lalwani emerged as Mumbai’s top scorer, contributing 65 runs before being caught out by Saqibul Ghani. Notably, three Mumbai players failed to reach double digits, and one returned without opening their account. Mumbai faced a potential collapse when Suved Parkar departed after scoring 50 runs.
However, the duo of Shivam Dubey and Tanush Kotian took charge, steering Mumbai to a respectable total. Shivam scored 41 runs, while Tanush added 50 runs to the scoreboard. Veer Pratap Singh led Bihar’s bowling attack, claiming four wickets. Saqibul Ghani and Himanshu Singh secured two wickets each.
Captain Ashutosh Aman proved to be the most economical bowler, with figures of 1 wicket for 26 runs in 10 overs, including two maiden overs. Nawaz contributed three maiden overs for Bihar.
In a surprising turn of events, Mumbai’s star players, including captain Ajinkya Rahane and Dhawal Kulkarni, refrained from participating in the match, disappointing cricket enthusiasts. Shams Mulani took on the captaincy role in Ajinkya Rahane’s absence. Despite missing key players, Mumbai remains the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history.
The match, being held at Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna for the first time, has generated immense excitement among cricket enthusiasts. However, the subdued start to this historic Ranji Trophy comeback after 47 years raises questions about the initial fervor. The absence of star players and the internal disputes within the Bihar Cricket Association have added unexpected layers to this elite group match.
The inauguration of the match saw Sports Minister Jitendra Kumar Rai and Director General (Vigilance) Alok Raj, along with BCA officials, welcoming the players. Flowers were exchanged in a traditional gesture, with BCCI match referee Arjun Kripal Singh and umpires P Jaipal and Rajeev Godhara also participating in the ceremony.
