Bihar produced a dominant all-round performance to crush Manipur by a massive 568 runs in the Plate final to ensure their return to the Ranji Trophy Elite Group. Opener Piyush Singh led the charge with a superb double century in the second innings, while bowlers Suraj Kashyap and Himanshu Singh delivered sharp spells to wrap up a one-sided win.
Bihar had a roller coaster ride in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy. They had made it to the Elite Group in the 2022–23 season but slipped back into the Plate Group in 2024–25. Now back among the top teams, the side is rebuilding under captain Sakibul Gani, with young batting talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi seen as a key part of the future.
Bihar on last day of the Ranji Trophy clash vs Manipur
On the final day, Bihar set Manipur an almost impossible target of 764 runs. Raghuvendra Pratap Singh was unlucky to miss out on a century, getting out for 90, after which Bihar declared their second innings at 505 for six. Earlier, they had piled up 522 in the first innings and bowled Manipur out for 264.
Manipur’s second innings never really got going. Bihar’s spinners Suraj Kashyap and Himanshu Singh picked up three wickets each as Manipur were dismissed for 195 on the fifth day.
Bihar’s batters had already done the damage. Captain Sakibul Gani scored 108 in the first innings, while Bipin Saurabh added 143. Piyush Singh then capped off the match with an unbeaten 216 from 322 balls in the second innings, completely taking the game away from Manipur.
Bihar declared after just nine balls on the final morning, choosing to give themselves a full day to bowl. The decision paid off quickly as Manipur slumped to 50 for five within the first 14 overs, and then to 70 for seven soon after.
Teenager Pheiroijam Jotin offered some resistance with a fighting 74 off 102 balls. He also shared an 83-run stand for the eighth wicket with L. Kishan Singha, who made 30, briefly delaying Bihar’s victory.
Once pacer Akash Raj broke the partnership by dismissing Kishan Singha, the result was inevitable. Jotin fell a few overs later, bringing an end to Manipur’s last stand and sealing a comprehensive win for Bihar.
Earlier this month, Bihar had also earned promotion to the Elite League in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where they beat Manipur by six wickets in the final.
Brief Scores:
Bihar 522 and 505 for 6 decl (Piyush Singh 216, Raghuvendra Pratap Singh 90; Pheiroijam Jotin 3/85).
Manipur 264 and 195 in 56.1 overs (Pheiroijam Jotin 74; Prashant Singh 2/51, S Kashyap 3/32, H Singh 3/49).