Patna, Jan 26 (NationPress) The president of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), Harsh Vardhan, praised the players for their outstanding mental fortitude, resilience, and character during the Ranji Trophy campaign after Bihar secured the Plate Group title with a remarkable 568-run victory against Manipur in the final.

Bihar delivered a commanding performance, defeating Manipur by 568 runs in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group final held at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna.

The BCA president expressed that the team exhibited maturity and strong belief in their abilities by overcoming tough challenges and performing under pressure. He emphasized that this title was a product of their hard work, unity, and commitment to promoting Bihar cricket.

"The players have demonstrated incredible mental strength, resilience, and character throughout the tournament," stated Harsh Vardhan following their victory.

"From facing difficult situations to succeeding under pressure, the team reacted with maturity and confidence in their skills. This title reflects their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to Bihar cricket. I am immensely proud of how the players represented the state both on and off the field," he added.

Player of the match, Sakibul Gani, remarked, "I extend my congratulations to all the people of Bihar. I also want to express my gratitude to the BCA officials. We performed exceptionally well. Manipur started strong, but we showcased our full power and strength over the following five days. Looking ahead to the Elite level, we will strive to practice more and aim to be champions in the Elite group within the next four or five years."

After the match, an awards ceremony took place with the presence of all BCA office-bearers. BCA Secretary Ziaul Arfeen first honored the players from both teams, match officials, and the referee, followed by the trophy presentation to the victorious Bihar team.

Ziaul Arfeen remarked, “Claiming the Ranji Trophy Plate Group title marks a significant achievement for Bihar cricket. I commend the players' hard work, the team management's planning, and the coaching staff's contributions. I hope the team maintains this level of performance in the future.”

The secretary also congratulated all members of the Bihar team and support staff, including Team Manager Nandan Singh, Head Coach Vinayak Samant, Assistant Coaches Sanjay Kumar and Kumar Mridul, Dr. Hemendu (Physio), and S&C Coach Gopal, expressing gratitude for their invaluable contributions.

Batting first, Bihar amassed an impressive total of 522 runs in their first innings, while Manipur could only manage 264 in response. In their second innings, Bihar declared at 505 for 6 in 119.3 overs, establishing an unassailable lead. Piyush Kumar Singh was the standout performer, scoring a magnificent unbeaten double century of 216 runs, supported well by Khalid (81), Bipin Saurabh (52), and Pratap (90), who all made significant middle-order contributions.

Faced with a daunting target of 568 runs, Manipur was bowled out for 195 in 56.1 overs during their second innings.