Kolkata: Bihar’s challenging return to the Ranji Trophy Elite Group continued with a second successive defeat in Group A as they slumped to a 10-wicket loss to Baroda inside three days on Tuesday.While a handful of individual performances offered some encouragement, head coach Ashutosh Aman admitted the side must improve collectively with both bat and ball if it is to revive its campaign.After being bowled out for 166 in the first innings, Bihar surrendered control of the contest early. Baroda responded with 416, riding on Priyanshu Moliya’s superb 132, Ramesh Pithiya’s 61 and Deepak Hooda’s 70. Bihar bowlers struggled to sustain pressure for long periods, with right-arm seamer Amod Yadav (5/139) and off-spinner Suraj Kashyap (2/62) emerging as the only notable wicket-takers.The visitors showed greater resistance in the second innings but could muster only 251, leaving Baroda with a target of just two runs. Opener Mangal Mahrour led the fight with a determined 138, while Ayush Loharuka’s 49 was the only other substantial contribution. Earlier, Bipin Saurabh’s 58 had been Bihar’s lone half-century in the first innings.Reflecting on the defeat, Aman said Bihar’s biggest concern was the lack of collective contributions despite a few promising individual displays.“We need contributions as a unit in both batting and bowling. Individual performances are coming, but we are lacking collective effort. If more players contribute and one or two bowlers support Amod consistently, things will improve. Every match teaches you something and we have to implement those lessons in the coming games,” Aman told TOI from Vadodara on Wednesday.The coach also threw his support behind captain Sakibul Gani, whose bat has remained quiet in the opening two matches.“Gani’s runs are very important for the team. He has been one of our most consistent performers. Every player goes through a lean phase. We know the kind of player he is and he is working hard. I’m confident he will come back strongly. When he starts scoring runs, the team’s overall performance will naturally improve,” Aman said.Aman stressed that greater consistency from the bowling unit would be equally important.“Right now, only one or two bowlers are creating impact regularly, especially Amod and Suraj. At this level, consistency is crucial. If bowlers operate in partnership and maintain disciplined lines and lengths, pressure will build and partnerships can be broken,” he said.Despite the defeat, the former Bihar captain highlighted the team’s attitude and commitment as a major positive.“The biggest positive has been the team’s body language and trust in each other. Even when things were not going our way, the fielding effort and intensity never dropped. Match referee also told me that. Now we have to bring batting and bowling together and perform collectively,” he said.Bihar will leave for Indore on Thursday ahead of their next Group A fixture against Madhya Pradesh. Aman believes mental resilience will be crucial as the side looks to recover from a tough start.“Self-belief has to remain intact. Mental toughness is extremely important at this level. I’ve spoken to the players individually and collectively, and the focus is now on improving and responding positively in the next match,” he said.Baroda left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, who returned match figures of 8/70, was named Player of the Match.Brief scores: Bihar 166 & 251 (M Mahrour 138; B Bhatt 6/53). Baroda 416 & 4/0. Baroda won by 10 wkts.Points: Baroda 7, Bihar 0.
