New Delhi, Jan 26 (NationPress) Bihar's captain Sakibul Gani expressed immense pride in his team's remarkable achievement after clinching the Ranji Trophy Plate final against Manipur, securing their spot in the Elite group. He commended the lower-order batters for their skillful handling of pressure, which propelled the team to a first innings total exceeding 500 runs after an alarming five early wickets fell.

Bihar displayed a comprehensive performance, overwhelming Manipur by a staggering 568 runs in the Ranji Trophy Plate 2025–26 final held at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, thereby winning the Plate title and advancing to the Elite Group for the upcoming season.

Opting to bat first, Bihar amassed 522 runs, spearheaded by Bipin Saurabh’s impressive 143 and Gani's own solid 108, with Suraj Kashyap contributing 83. Manipur managed a reply of 264, with Ronald Longjam being the standout performer with 79 runs, as Bihar took a significant first-innings lead, a moment Gani highlighted as crucial.

“Manipur had a strong start, but the partnership between Bipin and me alleviated some of the pressure. Following that, our bowlers executed their plans effectively, limiting them to around 200–250 runs (264), which established a comfortable lead and positioned us strongly,” Gani shared with IANS.

In discussing the match conditions, the Bihar skipper recognized Manipur's early bowling strength and credited his lower order for their pivotal role in turning the game around.

“When we began batting, the pitch was indeed favorable for bowlers. Our batting was steady, yet at one point, we found ourselves at 80/5. Nevertheless, our lower-order batsmen united, managed the situation adeptly, and propelled us past 500 runs,” he noted.

In their second innings, Bihar tightened their hold, declaring at 505/6 thanks to Piyush Singh’s unbeaten 216, along with notable contributions from Raghuvendra Pratap Singh (90) and Khalid Alam (81). Set an arduous target of 764, Manipur was dismissed for just 195, with Bihar’s bowlers, led by Suraj Kashyap and Himanshu Singh, sealing a massive 568-run victory.

Manipur's chase proved insurmountable, resulting in their collapse for 195, as Bihar’s bowlers once again showcased dominance, achieving one of the most significant victories in Ranji Trophy Plate history.

Regarding their transition to the Elite Group, Gani emphasized that Bihar intends to maintain the same successful strategy that characterized their Plate Group performance.

“We aim to replicate our Plate Group gameplay in the Elite Group. Our goal is to win. We will strive for excellence and aim for victories. All teams in the Elite Group are formidable, and we will bring our best game,” he stated.

He further highlighted Bihar's recent performances at higher levels, refuting the belief that the team struggles against elite competition.

“In the past two years, we have been part of the Elite Group, winning two matches each season. We even managed to defeat UP in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It’s a misconception that we always falter there. Each year, we secure two wins but fall short on points, which led to our temporary drop, but now we’ve ascended back to the Elite Group,” Gani concluded.

Finally, he acknowledged the critical support from the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), attributing their timely preparations to the team's success.

“The BCA has been instrumental. Just a week before the final, they organized a training camp for us, and we are now witnessing the results. Everyone had been diligently working hard in advance,” he added.