Bihar Ranji Trophy 2026-27 squad: Sakibul Gani to lead vs UP on Oct 11
Synopsis
Bihar Cricket Association has named Sakibul Gani to lead a 17-member squad for the first two Ranji Trophy 2026-27 matches — and the opening clash against Uttar Pradesh on 11 October will be the first Ranji game ever played at the newly built Rajgir International Cricket Stadium, making it a landmark moment for cricket in the state.
Key Takeaways
The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) has announced a 17-member squad and 6 standby players for the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season opener.
Sakibul Gani will captain Bihar, with Himanshu Singh as vice-captain.
Bihar open their campaign against Uttar Pradesh on 11 October 2026 at the International Cricket Stadium, Rajgir — the venue's first-ever Ranji Trophy fixture.
Selection trials were conducted on 6 October 2026 under BCCI-nominated selectors Harvinder Singh , S.
Sharath , and Amitabh Vijayvargiya .
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unavailable, being on national duty with the Indian T20 team .
The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) has announced a 17-member squad for the first two matches of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season, with six standby players also named. The squad was finalised under the supervision of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-nominated selectors following trials held on 6 October 2026 in Patna.
Bihar's Campaign Opens at Rajgir
Bihar will launch their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Uttar Pradesh on 11 October 2026 at the newly constructed International Cricket Stadium in Rajgir. The fixture will mark the first Ranji Trophy match to be played at the Rajgir venue, making it a landmark occasion for cricket in the state. Anticipation among fans across Bihar is running high ahead of the historic home tie.
Squad Composition and Selection Process
Sakibul Gani has been named captain of the side, with Himanshu Singh serving as vice-captain. The main squad of 17 players includes two wicketkeepers — Bipin Kumar Saurabh and Sarman Nigrodh. The selection process was overseen by BCCI-nominated selectors Harvinder Singh, S. Sharath, and Amitabh Vijayvargiya, who assessed players on parameters including performance, technical ability, fitness, discipline, and temperament under match conditions.
The Under-23 selection trials were conducted over 5 and 6 October 2026, while the senior Ranji trials were held on 6 October. The BCA had earlier circulated a camp list, from which players were invited to participate in the selection trials before the final squads were announced.
Full Squad and Support Staff
Main squad: Sakibul Gani (captain), Ayush Loharuka, Mangal Maharour, Naman Gaurav, Piyush Singh, Bipin Kumar Saurabh (wk), Sarman Nigrodh (wk), Akash Raj, Prithvi Raj, Himanshu Singh (VC), Khalid Alam, Suraj Kumar Kashyap, Shakib Hussain, MD Izhar, Shabbir Khan, Raghavendra Singh, Amod Yadav.
Standby players: Nawaz Khan, Malay Rai, Danish Alam, Tanu Kumar Singh, Sachin Kumar Singh, Prashant Kumar Singh.
Support staff: Head coach — Ashutosh Aman; Assistant coach — Ashok Kumar; Physiotherapist — Dr. Hemendu; Trainer — Gopal Kumar.
Notable Absence: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who hails from Bihar, is unavailable for the opening matches as he is currently on national duty with the Indian T20 team. His absence is a notable one given the excitement he generates among fans in the state, though his international commitments take precedence at this stage of his career.
What's Next for Bihar Cricket
The BCA is making full preparations to host the season opener at Rajgir. Bihar will be aiming to begin the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign on a winning note against a strong Uttar Pradesh side. The team's performance across the first two fixtures will set the tone for the rest of their domestic season.
Point of View
A state that has historically punched below its weight in domestic cricket despite producing standout individual talents like Sakibul Gani. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's absence for national duty is also emblematic of a wider tension in Indian domestic cricket: the domestic season increasingly loses its best young assets to national or IPL-related commitments at the very moments when their presence could elevate a state side's profile. Whether Bihar can convert the goodwill of a historic home fixture into a competitive campaign against stronger sides will be the real test of how far the BCA's development work has progressed.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of Bihar's Ranji Trophy 2026-27 squad?
Sakibul Gani has been named captain of the Bihar Ranji Trophy 2026-27 squad, with Himanshu Singh serving as vice-captain. The squad was announced by the Bihar Cricket Association after trials held on 6 October 2026.
When and where does Bihar play their first Ranji Trophy 2026-27 match?
Bihar face Uttar Pradesh on 11 October 2026 at the International Cricket Stadium in Rajgir. It will be the first Ranji Trophy match played at the newly constructed Rajgir venue.
Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not in Bihar's Ranji Trophy squad?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently on national duty with the Indian T20 team and is therefore unavailable for the opening Ranji Trophy matches. His national commitments take precedence over the domestic fixture.
How many players are in Bihar's Ranji Trophy 2026-27 squad?
Bihar's squad comprises 17 players in the main group and 6 standby players. The selection was finalised under BCCI-nominated selectors Harvinder Singh, S. Sharath, and Amitabh Vijayvargiya after trials on 6 October 2026.
Who oversaw the Bihar Ranji Trophy 2026-27 selection process?
The selection process was conducted under BCCI-nominated selectors Harvinder Singh, S. Sharath, and Amitabh Vijayvargiya. Players were evaluated on performance, technical ability, fitness, discipline, and match temperament during the trials.
