Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Patna groundsmen burn dung cake to dry pitch on Day 2 of Bihar vs Karnataka

The Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match between Bihar and Karnataka was delayed due to a wet outfield. To restart the match, the groundsmen at Patna's Moin-ul-Haq Stadium took a new initiative where they burned dung cake to dry the surface and the video of the same went viral on social media. Recently, the groundsmen of Rawalpindi were spotted using table fans to dry the pitch for the third Test between England and Pakistan and soon after that, this incident grabbed the attention of the fans.

Notably, on Day 1, Karnataka bundled the hosts to 143 runs. Opener Sharman Nigrodh made 60 runs and Bipin Saurabh scored 31 while all the other players flopped with the bat. Seven of the Bihar players scored in single digits as the Mayank Agarwal-led side ran havoc with the ball. The spin duo of Mohsin Khan and Shreyas Gopal were extremely effective as they picked up a three and a four-wicket haul, respectively.

Karnataka scored 16 runs in three overs before the umpires had to call it a day. Only 59.5 overs were bowled on Day 1 and Day 2 is likely to be called off without a ball being bowled. Notably, Karnataka’s last game against Kerala was also affected by the rain as the match ended on level terms. Their first game against Madhya Pradesh was also affected by rain and bad light and as things stand, they have managed only two points in the same number of games.

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Bihar haven’t been fortunate as well. Recently, the high court interfered and helped appoint a selection committee, which picked the team only a couple of days ahead of their Ranji opener against Haryana. They lost the game by an innings and 43 runs and following which, their game against Bengal in Kalyani was called off without a ball being bowled due to showers. With that, they are currently at the bottom of the table.