The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Bihar to participate in the Ranji Trophy and other national cricket tournaments, ending the state's 17-year-old isolation. The apex court said the order was passed keeping in view the cause of cricket.
This means Bihar will be able to play in Ranji Trophy in 2018. A team from Bihar played in the Ranji Trophy from 1936-37 until 2003-04, after which it was succeeded by the Jharkhand cricket team.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra made it clear that Bihar, which had not been allowed to participate in national-level cricket tournaments, must play cricket.
The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, 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.
The state has played 236 first-class matches, winning 78, losing 56 and drawing 102.
