The selection of the Bihar cricket team for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season marks a significant milestone after a period characterized by uncertainty and administrative turmoil. The 20-member squad is set to embark on its journey to Rohtak for its inaugural match against Haryana, commencing on October 11. However, this announcement follows a series of legal deliberations that complicated the selection process.
On August 5, 2023, the Patna High Court took action by appointing Justice Shailesh Kumar Sinha as the ombudsman to manage the operations of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA). In a decisive move, Justice Sinha reinstated Amit Kumar, the former BCA secretary who had initially sought the court's intervention following his ousting by the current BCA president, Rakesh Tiwari. Alongside this decision, a new selection committee was formed, led by Zishan-ul-Yaquin, to curate the team for the upcoming season. Consequently, a team was finalized on October 7, 2023, positioning Bihar to begin its Ranji Trophy campaign.
However, the situation became contentious when, on October 8, the Patna High Court issued a stay on its previous order, thereby rendering the selection committee's decisions from October 7 invalid. This legal ruling also resulted in Amit Kumar losing his position as BCA secretary and consequently, Justice Sinha's oversight waning. Subsequently, a new selection committee, under the leadership of Madhusudan Tantubhai, assembled a squad under significant time constraints and amidst this administrative confusion.
Amit Kumar has publicly expressed his respect for the court's recent ruling but indicated his intention to consult his lawyer about potentially escalating the matter to the Supreme Court after the Hindu festival of Dussehra, which is on October 12. The turmoil stemmed from an ongoing power struggle between Kumar, who sought to re-establish his authority, and Tiwari, the current president aiming to consolidate his position within the BCA.
The situation has created anxiety for the players, who found themselves entangled in this conflict, leading to the unprecedented scenario where two separate training camps were held in Patna. This mirrors a similar incident from January 2024, during which two distinct teams emerged due to the factions within the BCA prior to their match against Mumbai at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium. In that instance, the involvement of the Patna High Court was necessary to legitimize one of the teams.
Zishan-ul-Yaquin, who chaired the selection committee responsible for the now-invalidated squad, has commented on the resolution of the crisis. He acknowledged the legitimacy of the court's decision and reiterated his commitment to Bihar cricket's advancement, expressing satisfaction that many players from his previous selection are included in the new team roster. His statements exemplify a focus on the players’ welfare and the betterment of cricket in Bihar, devoid of factional bias.
In this context, players previously connected to the separate camps have been required to clarify their non-association with Amit Kumar's faction by sending emails to the BCA. This was a necessary step to align with the court's directive and to establish clarity moving forward.
As the Bihar team gears up for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, it faces a formidable challenge. The team finds itself competing in Group C, a group recognized for its competitiveness, which includes established cricketing states such as Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. During the previous season, Bihar's performance was subpar, finishing last in Group B with four defeats and three drawn matches.
The finalized squad for the Bihar cricket team in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy includes notable players. Veer Pratap Singh has taken on the role of captain, with Shakibul Gani serving as vice-captain. The team also comprises players such as Bipin Sourabh, Akash Raj, and Shraman Nigrodh, who will serve as wicketkeeper, as well as key players like Raghwendra Pratap Singh, Mayank Choudhary, and Himanshu Singh. The lineup further features Sachin Kumar Singh, Abhijeet Saket, Anuj Raj, Shakib Hussain, Shabbir Khan, Rishav Raj, Harsh Vikram Singh, Jitin Kumar Yadav, Yashpal Yadav, and Rishi Raj.
With the bureaucratic challenges seemingly settled, the Bihar cricket fraternity looks forward to witnessing how the team performs in the upcoming season, aspiring to break away from the inhibitions of the past and striving for a commendable showing in Indian cricket's most prestigious domestic tournament. The players, now poised to take the field, are eager to translate their hard work and determination into success, while various stakeholders within Bihar cricket remain focused on fostering a stable and progressive environment for the sport.