Patna: Bihar asserted complete dominance on the opening day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy U16 match against Arunachal Pradesh at Vikas Cricket Ground, Bhubaneswar. Stellar performances with both bat and ball put Bihar in a commanding position, leaving their opponents struggling to recover.
Arunachal Pradesh opted to bat first but were bundled out for just 84 runs in 21.2 overs. Bihar’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, maintaining disciplined line and length that denied Arunachal’s batsmen any opportunity to settle.
Satyam Raj emerged as the standout bowler, delivering an exceptional spell of 9.2 overs, including five maidens, to claim 5 wickets for a mere 22 runs. His deadly accuracy dismantled Arunachal’s batting lineup. Piyush Kumar provided valuable support, taking 2 wickets for 48 runs in 7 overs, while Bhaskar Anand impressed with 2 wickets for just 4 runs in 2 overs, including a maiden.
In response, Bihar’s batting lineup capitalised on the bowlers’ efforts with a commanding performance, amassing 405 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 73 overs. The highlight of the innings was a monumental unbeaten double century by Pritam Raj, who scored 236 runs laced with 35 boundaries and 6 sixes. His historic innings gave Bihar an imposing lead of 321 runs.
Yash added a crucial half-century, further bolstering Bihar’s position, while Vivek Anand remained unbeaten on 64, providing steady support to Pritam. Their partnership frustrated Arunachal’s bowlers, leaving the opposition with little hope of a comeback.
At stumps on Day 1, Bihar’s dominance was evident, with Arunachal Pradesh dismissed for a low total and Bihar responding with a colossal score of 405/3. The Bihar team’s exceptional all-round performance has put them firmly in control of the match.
