SC To BCCI: Allow Bihar To Play Ranji Trophy

It’s a huge victory for cricket in Bihar and aspirants from the state willing to make it to the national level.

The Supreme Court today ordered the BCCI to allow Bihar to play Ranji Trophy and other domestic cricket tournaments. It is going to happen after a long 14 years.

Bihar last played in Ranji Trophy in 2003-04 season when Mahendar Singh Dhoni was the captain.

Following infighting amongst Bihar, Jharkhand and frictions with the BCCI, the state had been omitted from the tourney and Jharkhand won the right to play in India’s premier domestic tournament.

Back in 2001 newly elected BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, had revoked BCA's affiliation, which at that time led by Lalu Prasad Yadav and granted full membership to Jharkhand State Cricket Association.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra today made it clear that Bihar, which had not been allowed to participate in national-level cricket tournaments, must play cricket.

The bench said that Bihar Cricket Association, which has been elected by virtue of an apex court order, shall be in-charge of the game in the state.

"This order has been passed keeping in view the cause of cricket," the court said, adding that it will not create any equity in favour of the Bihar Cricket Association.

The Supreme Court order comes in the wake of an appeal made by Aditya Verma, who is the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar. Verma had been fighting for Bihar’s right of place in the Ranji Trophy for almost two years.