Bihar Cricket Team Unveils Squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Bihar Cricket Association Announces Squad
On Friday, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) revealed a 17-member squad for the initial two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed as captain, with Suraj Kashyap taking on the role of vice-captain. This marks Vaibhav's debut as the leader of Bihar's senior team as they gear up for the tournament, according to a BCA statement.
BCA President's Remarks
BCA president Harsh Vardhan commented on this development, stating, "Vaibhav has shown remarkable talent, confidence, and maturity at a young age. This role will further his growth as both a cricketer and a leader. We are optimistic that under his guidance, the team will perform with discipline and competitiveness in the upcoming season."
Selection Process Details
The senior selection committee of the BCA convened on November 6, 2026, to finalize the squad after assessing player trials and past performances. The meeting included selection committee chairman Harvinder Singh and member Amitabh Vijayvargiya, with selector S. Sarath participating via phone. The squad was determined following trials held from November 4 to 6 and a review of player performances.
Bihar Squad Composition
The finalized 17-member squad includes:
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Captain)
- Alok Kumar
- Ayush Loharuka (Wicketkeeper)
- Altamash Ashraf
- Param Kumar Singh
- Anmol Kumar (Wicketkeeper)
- Ritwik Raj
- Suraj Kashyap (Vice-Captain)
- Mayank Kumar
- Raghvendra Pratap
- Ashish Kumar
- Vasudev Pratap Singh
- Mohammad Izhar
- Amod Yadav
- Prashant Singh
- Nawaz Khan
- Himanshu Singh
Mangal Mahour and Shakib Hussain's selection is contingent on their fitness, which will be evaluated after the first two matches.
Standby Players
The following players have been designated as standbys:
- Bipin Saurabh
- Suman Kumar
- Akash Raj
- Khalid Alam
- Bhaskar Dubey
- Kumar Rajnish
- Suyash
- Abhijeet Saket
- Yashasvi Rishabh
- Lakhan Raja
- Pawan Kumar
- Amit Chaudhary
- Piyush Singh
- Bhanu Kumar
- Lokesh Babulal Kumar
- Prashant Srivastava
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Journey
This captaincy is a significant milestone in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's cricket career. He gained attention while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 due to his aggressive batting style. His performance earned him a spot on the Indian team, where he showcased his skills in international T20 matches. In a recent T20 International against New Zealand, Vaibhav opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma, forming a record-breaking partnership. They scored 118 runs without losing a wicket in just six overs, setting a world record for the highest powerplay score in men's T20 International cricket.
Support and Expectations
The Bihar Cricket Association's Administrator, former Patna High Court Justice Ashwini Kumar Singh, along with BCA President Harsh Vardhan and other senior officials, congratulated Vaibhav on his captaincy. They expressed confidence in his abilities and wished him and the team success in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With the responsibility of leading Bihar now on his shoulders, Vaibhav aims to build on his individual achievements while guiding the state team to new heights. Expectations are high for Bihar to perform competitively under his leadership.
Upcoming Matches
Bihar's campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will kick off with its first two matches scheduled in Indore starting November 14, 2026. The support staff from Bihar's Ranji Trophy team will accompany the squad throughout the tournament. Additionally, selection committee chairman Harvinder Singh and member Amitabh Vijayvargiya will be present in Indore to monitor the team's performance.