Cricket

After a protracted legal battle, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) has finally announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. The team will face Haryana in their opening match on October 11 in Rohtak.The selection process was marred by controversy, with the Patna High Court appointing an ombudsman to oversee BCA affairs in August. The ombudsman subsequently reinstated Amit Kumar as BCA secretary and appointed a new selection committee. However, the High Court stayed its own order on October 8, nullifying the selection committee's decision.Amidst the power struggle between former BCA secretary Kumar and current president Rakesh Tiwari, two separate training camps were conducted in Patna. The latest decision brings some relief to Bihar cricketers, who were caught in the crossfire.The Bihar squad, selected by a committee led by Madhusudan Tantubhai, includes Veer Pratap Singh as captain and Shakibul Gani as vice-captain. The team faces a tough challenge in Group C, which also includes Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.Bihar finished last in Group B in the 2023-24 season, with four defeats and three drawn games in seven matches. The team will be hoping for a better performance this season, with the aim of improving Bihar cricket's standing in the domestic circuit.