Ranji Trophy Plate final: Bihar thrash Manipur by 568 runs to return to Elite Group
Bihar completed a dominant Ranji Trophy Plate title win with a 568-run victory over Manipur in Patna, sealing promotion back to the Elite Group. Piyush Singh’s unbeaten double century and strong spells from the bowlers underlined a one-sided final.
A record-margin Plate final win in Patna
Bihar secured promotion back to the Ranji Trophy Elite Group after a crushing 568-run win over Manipur in the Plate final, played in Patna and concluding on January 26, 2026. The result capped a match in which Bihar controlled every phase—first setting up a massive cushion with the bat and then applying sustained pressure with disciplined bowling.
The final carried additional significance for Bihar because it marked a return to the top tier after a turbulent cycle in recent seasons. Promotion through the Plate route is often treated as a test of depth and consistency, and Bihar’s performance suggested a team that has rebuilt its spine around clear roles and strong domestic form.
Big runs set up an impossible chase
Bihar’s advantage began with a huge first-innings total, built around centuries from key batters. After dismissing Manipur to establish a substantial lead, Bihar batted again to pile on runs, effectively turning the contest into a survival exercise for Manipur. Opener Piyush Singh’s unbeaten double century was central to that second-innings surge, allowing Bihar to declare with an enormous target on the board.
The declaration left Manipur facing a near-impossible chase under time pressure. In such finals, chasing the game can force errors, and Bihar’s bowling unit exploited that dynamic with early breakthroughs that quickly tilted the final innings into a damage-control scenario.
Bowlers finish the job; Bihar back in Elite
Bihar’s attack ensured there was no late escape, with wickets falling at regular intervals and the required target remaining out of reach from the outset. Even when resistance arrived lower down the order, Bihar kept a tight grip through attacking fields and consistent lengths, eventually bowling Manipur out and sealing the Plate title.
The outcome means Bihar will compete in the Elite Group next season, where the standard rises sharply and squads are tested for bench strength. For Bihar, the Plate title and the manner of the win provide momentum and a template: high-value top-order contributions, long-batting innings that break opponents’ plans, and a bowling group capable of finishing matches rather than merely containing.