The journey towards Indian domestic cricket greatness began on Friday with the start of the 2023–2024 Ranji Trophy season. However, a number of issues, such as claims of age fraud and an odd occurrence during the Bihar against Mumbai match, overshadowed the first day. Unexpectedly, two Bihar squads showed up at the Moin-ul-Haq stadium to play Mumbai. The incident brought a chaotic aspect to the proceedings and brought attention to the difficulties in organising the competition. It is noteworthy that Mumbai, one of the strongest teams competing for the Ranji Trophy, travelled to Patna to begin their campaign.

3 things you need to know

• The Ranji Trophy is underway
• Two Bihar teams arrived to face Mumbai in Patna 
• Moin-ul-Haq Stadium was the venue of the match

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What happened at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium? 

A strange occurrence occurred at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna on Friday, garnering attention because of the recent talks over inadequate infrastructure. Two teams showed up for the match against Mumbai, both claiming to be Bihar's Ranji Trophy representatives. Confusion that followed led to a delayed start that was characterised by argumentative statements and a brawl between officials from the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), requiring police involvement. The game eventually started around 1:00 pm.

In the Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai, two Bihar teams cause mayhem. The squad that was chosen by BCA President Rakesh Tiwary was the first to arrive at the stadium on Friday. Amit Kumar, the secretary, had selected the other squad in the meantime. Interestingly, neither team had a named cricket player.

Tiwary revealed the secretary's suspension and said that his team was chosen on the basis of merit in a statement to the Indian Express. Tiwary said: 

“We have picked the team on merit and that is the right team. You see the talent that is coming from Bihar. We have a cricketer (Sakib Hussain), who is picked in the IPL. We have a 12-year-old prodigy making his debut in the game. The other is being picked by the secretary who is suspended, so it can’t be the real team."

In reaction to the suspension charge, Kumar raised an important point, questioning if the Indian squad is chosen by the BCCI president. He emphasised that Secretary Jay Shah's signature appears on every board release. Kumar said:

“First things first: I won the election, and I am an official secretary of the BCA. You can’t suspend a secretary. Secondly, how can a president select a team? Have you ever seen BCCI president Roger Binny announcing the squad? You will always see the signature of Secretary Jay Shah,”

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What did BCA say?

On Friday, the BCA published a statement accusing the suspended secretary, Amit, of causing confusion by forming a fictional team and attacking a board officer.

“There was a life-threatening attack on BCA’s OSD Manoj Kumar by those involved in the fake team. The miscreants have been identified and action will be taken against them,”