Kolkata: Bihar face a daunting challenge when they take on former champions Madhya Pradesh in their third-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at Holkar Stadium in Indore from Monday.Having suffered consecutive defeats against Uttar Pradesh and Baroda, the Ashutosh Aman-coached side will need a major improvement to compete against the Rajat Patidar-led hosts, who have collected six points from drawn away matches against Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry.Madhya Pradesh have looked one of balanced teams in the group. Patidar returned from India A duty to score a match-defining 122 against Puducherry and earned the Player of the Match award. Shubham Sharma has also been in outstanding touch, compiling two half-centuries and a century in three innings, while Chanchal Rathore impressed with a patient 78 at No. 3.The hosts possess a potent bowling attack as well. Pacers Aryan Pandey and Ravi Kiran have consistently troubled opposition batters, while experienced off-spinner Saransh Jain remains a key wicket-taking option.For Bihar, the biggest concern remains the batting. Promoted from the Plate Group this season, they have struggled to adjust to the demands of Elite Group cricket. They were beaten by an innings and 267 runs by Uttar Pradesh in their opener at the newly inaugurated Rajgir International Cricket Stadium before suffering a 10-wicket loss to Baroda away from home.The batting unit showed some improvement in Vadodara after being bowled out below 150 in both innings against UP, but totals of 166 and 251 were still not enough to challenge Baroda. Bihar’s campaign so far has relied more on individual contributions than collective efforts.Opener Mangal Mahrour’s 138 against Baroda in the second essay has been the standout innings of the season for Bihar. Bipin Saurabh’s 58, Ayush Loharuka’s 49 and Amod Yadav’s five-wicket haul have offered a few positives, but sustained team performances have been missing.Another concern is the form of captain Sakibul Gani, who is yet to make a significant impact with either bat or ball. Bihar will need their skipper and senior players to lead from the front if they are to trouble a strong Madhya Pradesh outfit and make this contest a meaningful test of character.
