On July 23, Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, gave a presentation of the Union Budget 2024. She declared a ground-breaking allocation for the state of Bihar during the budget, indicating the interest of the federal government in advancing the state’s sports infrastructure. With MS Dhoni emerging as the region’s face and going on to become India’s most successful captain, cricket is one of the essential components of the state.
Rakesh Tiwari, the president of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), praised the budget and stated that it will only increase the passion of the sport in the state while fostering young potential.
Since the state’s split, Bihar has not hosted any international matches; nevertheless, its sibling state, Jharkhand, was just granted access to the JSCA sports complex, an international cricket venue.
In particular, these enhancements are crucial for cricket. Now that they have access to superior training grounds, contemporary conveniences, and top-notch facilities, our athletes will be able to develop and advance. This announcement is in complete harmony with our mission to prepare cricketers of the highest calibre and to take Bihar cricket to new heights. As cited by Business Standard, Tiwari stated, “On behalf of the Bihar Cricket Association, I reiterate our commitment to supporting this initiative and working with the government to realise these plans.”
Bihar stuns cricketers during the Ranji Trophy
Prior to the Ranji 2023–24 season, Bihar was elevated to the elite tier since Jharkhand and Bihar were divided in 2000. However, as two state teams on the pitch to play Mumbai in the Ranji match, the opening sequence was forgettable. The dilemma emerged from the competition between the BCA presidents, who sent their teams to compete for the title. Having said that, the Patna Moin-ul-Haq Stadium was also criticised for having poor outfield and infrastructure.