Bihar Defeat Manipur to Lift Vijay Hazare Plate Trophy, Secure Elite Group Spot

Bihar's remarkable journey in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 reached a fitting climax on Tuesday as they defeated Manipur by six wickets in the Plate Group final, sealing promotion to the Elite Group for the next season. The win not only earned Bihar the Plate title but also marked a historic step forward for the state's cricketing ambitions.

After being asked to bat first, Manipur struggled to cope with Bihar's disciplined bowling attack and were dismissed for 169 in 47.5 overs. The standout performer was right-arm pacer Shabbir Khan, who delivered a sensational spell to rip through the opposition.

Mixing accuracy with subtle movement, Shabbir repeatedly unsettled Manipur's batters and finished with seven wickets, completely shifting the momentum

in Bihar's favour.

Manipur's resistance largely came from Ulenyai Khwairakpam and Pheiroijam Jotin, who scored 61 and 51 respectively. Apart from the two half-centurions, the rest of the batting order failed to offer meaningful support, with seven batters falling for single-digit scores. Himanshu Tiwary complemented Shabbir's effort by claiming the remaining three wickets, ensuring Manipur never built a competitive total.

Bihar's chase was controlled and efficient. Openers Mangal Mahrour and Piyush Singh laid a solid platform, putting together a steady start that eased early nerves. The responsibility was then taken over by Ayush Loharuka, who played a composed knock of 75 from 72 balls. His innings blended patience with timely aggression, preventing any collapse despite a few quick wickets in the middle phase.

When the top order departed, Akash Raj and Bipin Saurabh calmly guided Bihar to the finish line, completing the chase in just 31.2 overs and underlining the gap between the two sides on the day.

The Plate Group title capped a flawless campaign for Bihar, who won all five league matches before dominating the final. The season also offered a glimpse into the future, with teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi featuring in two games and scoring 221 runs, including a stunning 190.

Promotion to the Elite Group represents a defining moment for Bihar cricket, signaling steady progress and growing depth ahead of the next Vijay Hazare season.