BCCI decides to include Bihar and North-East states in the domestic circuit

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced the inclusion of Bihar and some of the North-East states in the domestic cricket circuit. The board further revealed that both Bihar and North-East states will participate in the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 tournaments. However, the state of Mizoram missed out on the inclusion as it is not affiliated with the BCCI.

The following step is a huge development and would surely enhance the domestic cricket in India. The convenor of the North-East Cricket Development Committee (NECDC) thanked the BCCI for the including of the state teams in the domestic circuit. He also said that this development is only possible due to the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court.

Only possible because of CoA

Nabha Bhattacharya, the convenor of the North-East Cricket Development Committee revealed the addition is a big thing for the states and is only because of the CoA. “We thank the CoA for making our participation possible in BCCI tournaments. All these years we have just been promised but for the first time it has been made possible and it is only because of the CoA. Whatever they promised to us, they have delivered upon it,” said Bhattacharya in a conversation with Hindustan Times.

He also stated that now it is up to the state teams how they perform when provided a big opportunity. “This will help us gauge our strengths and weaknesses as we will not play as a combined team. The game will also get a boost in the region as youngsters will see a future for themselves. Earlier, there was no hope of playing top level cricket. It is upon us (North-East states) to perform well and stake a claim for Ranji Trophy representation the next season,” he added.

As per reports, presently it remains unknown that if both Bihar and North-East states would be allowed to participate in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season. The Ranji fixtures starting from October with its traditional home and away matches is a great opportunity for the talented state cricketers to showcase their abilities at the big stage.