A remarkable controversy unfolded in the cricketing world as the Ranji Trophy season commenced with an unconventional start in Bihar. The 89th edition of the storied domestic cricket tournament in India began on January 5th, drawing teams from all over the nation to compete for the coveted title. Amidst the usual competitive atmosphere, a curious incident occurred involving the Bihar cricket team’s lineup against the seasoned 41-time champions, Mumbai. The match, held at Patna’s Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, was the stage for an unprecedented mix-up: two separate teams from Bihar were announced to play against Mumbai, leading to a bizarre and confusing situation.
The bizarre twist originated when the suspended ex-secretary of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), Amit Kumar, took it upon himself to name a team, despite not holding any official position. The confrontation reached its peak when this ‘fake team,’ as it was referred to by the BCA, became entangled in an altercation involving the BCA’s Officer on Special Duty, Manoj Kumar. The BCA swiftly condemned the incident, identifying the individuals involved in the attack and promising swift action against them. According to the BCA’s official statement, the assault on Manoj Kumar posed a threat to his life, indicating the gravity of the situation and the tensions within the state’s cricket administration.
The crisis deepened with allegations that Amit Kumar also physically attacked a BCA official, further complicating the setting for the cricket match. This series of events shone a spotlight on the internal discord within the BCA, which previously saw Amit Kumar as a close associate of the current BCA President Rakesh Tiwary. The relationship soured in 2022 due to Amit’s alleged entanglement with opposition factions, resulting in his suspension. Amit Kumar, who had played a pivotal role in Tiwary’s faction assertively winning the BCA elections before the association attained affiliate membership status from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), found himself sidelined and without a role henceforth.
As the dust settled on the administrative confrontations, the BCA’s officially recognized team took their positions on the field against the mighty Mumbai side. Despite the chaotic prelude, the players concentrated on the game at hand. On the first day of the encounter, Bihar’s bowlers showed resilience, restricting Mumbai to 235/9. V Pratap Singh’s impressive performance netted him four wickets, while Himanshu Singh and S Gani both snagged a pair each. Bhupen Lalwani and Suved Parkar reached half-centuries for Mumbai, though star batsman Sarfaraz Khan managed only a single run. The following day, Bihar completed the job by bowling out Mumbai shortly after lunch for 251 runs, with V Pratap Singh achieving a remarkable five-wicket haul.
The occurrence in Patna was much more than a cricketing event; it underscored the underlying issues of governance and power struggles that can seep into sports organizations. The episode also highlighted the importance of clear communication and authority within sports administration. As the incident continues to unfold and actions are brought against the perceived instigators, the hope among cricket fans is that focus will soon return to the game itself and its display of sportsmanship and competition on the field. Meanwhile, the rest of the tournament carries on, with teams across India battling it out for the pride and prestige of lifting the Ranji Trophy.
