SC: Bihar to play Ranji Trophy under state association

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said that the order has been passed keeping in view the cause of the cricket.

The apex court said on Thursday that Bihar will play the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments under the aegis of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).

Bihar will open its first innings in national level cricket after a gap of 17 years, with the Supreme Court allowing the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) to participate in the Ranji Trophy and other championships this year.

The Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra batted in favour of Bihar's cricketing talent, saying “Bihar shall play cricket."

The direction came after Aditya Varma, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB), sought a hearing on an interim application that Bihar, the third most-populous State, has been treated unfairly and denied the opportunity to play Ranji and other zonal and national-level tournaments.

“As an interim measure, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) shall be eligible to participate in Ranji Trophy and similar such competitions and the BCA, which has been elected by virtue of the order of this court, shall be in-charge of the same,” the bench said.

“This order has been passed keeping in view the cause of cricket,” the apex court observed.

The cricketing scene in Bihar saw strife after the State was split to form Jharkhand in 2000. A dispute arose in the cricket administration of Bihar and two separate cricket associations were formed for the two States.

While the Jharkhand Cricket Association became a permanent member of the BCCI, its Bihar counterpart ended up with a cancelled membership.