For the first time, Manipur will be playing in the final of the Ranji Trophy plate group against Bihar at Patna from January 25.
In their semi-final match at Surat on Friday (January 20), the northeastern border state beat Sikkim by two wickets to avenge their league stage defeat and earn promotion to Elite Group of the first class domestic tournament.
With Sikkim adding 336 runs in second innings after 229 runs in the first innings, Manipur who succumbed at 166 runs in the first innings were given an uphill task to score 337 for the win.
In their league matches, Manipur started this season's campaign with an eight-wicket loss to Sikkim but drew Bihar in the second match before beating Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya in the following matches to finish third in the group table and secure a semi-final berth.
Manipur will now play Bihar, who beat Meghalaya by 302 runs in the other semifinal play-off in Shillong, from January 25 at Moin UI Haq Stadium in Patna.
It may be noted that Manipur’s senior men cricket team left the state for the Ranji Trophy matches in the first week of December 2022.
On hearing the news, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh congratulated the state team for the historic achievement.
In a tweet on late Friday night, Biren Singh, “The state will be hosting big teams like Mumbai, Delhi, Haryana, Bengal, etc. at Luwangsangbam Cricket Ground next year as we get promoted to the Elite Group.”
“History has been scripted as Manipur sailed into the finals of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group by defeating Sikkim. Indeed, a moment of pride for the state! The state has now started producing talented players who can reach national levels. We will be facing Bihar in the finals,” he added.
Meanwhile, RK Imo, the president Manipur Cricket Association, has announced to hand over a sum of INR 15 as cash prize to the state cricket team.