Bihar vs Meghalaya Match Preview | 29 Dec 2025

Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate 2025-26

Date: Monday, 29th December 2025
Time: 03:30 AM GMT / 09:00 AM IST
Venue: JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi, India
League: Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate 2025-26
Match: Bihar vs Meghalaya – Match 9

Pitch & Weather Conditions

The JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi is expected to host a match on a neutral to slightly pace-friendly pitch. The surface is likely to assist fast bowlers, especially in the early and late stages of the game.

Weather conditions are expected to be mild with hazy skies and temperatures around 24°C. These conditions are ideal for a competitive one-day encounter and should allow for a balanced contest between bat and ball.

Team Squads

Bihar Squad

• Sabir Khan
• Mangal Mahrour
• Sakibul Gani (Captain)
• Akash Raj
• Suraj Kashyap
• HimanshuI
• Shabbir Khan
• Bipin Saurav (WK)
• Kumar Rajnish
• Piyush Singh
• Vaibhav Suryavanshi
• Ayush Loharuka
• Himanshu Singh
• Badal Kanaujiya

Meghalaya Squad

• Riboklang Hynniewta
• Swarajeet Das
• Larry Sangma
• Akash Choudhary
• Dippu Sangma (Captain)
• Abhishek Kumar Singh
• Kishan Lyngdoh
• Jaskirat Singh
• Arpit Bhatewara (WK)
• Ram Gurung
• Anish Charak
• Arien Sangma (WK)
• Aryan Bora
• Swastic Chettri
• Kush Agarwal

Key Players & Performance Insights

Bihar Key Players

• Sakibul Gani (C): Captain and one of the most consistent performers in the squad with 415 points in previous matches.
• Mangal Mahrour: A reliable all-rounder with 212 points and a strike rate of 8.5.
• Shabbir Khan: Has accumulated 227 points, making him a key figure in both batting and bowling.
• Suraj Kashyap: A top-order batsman with 37 points and a consistency rating of 7.
• Ayush Loharuka: A rising star with 23 points and a decent contribution in the middle overs.
• Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Young talent with 435 points, making him a must-watch for the future.

Meghalaya Key Players

• Dippu Sangma (C): The skipper, though yet to make a significant impact this season, has a consistency rating of 5.5.
• Kishan Lyngdoh: A consistent performer with a high strike rate of 8.5.
• Arpit Bhatewara (WK): A wicketkeeper-batter with 124 points and a good strike rate of 8.
• Abhishek Kumar Singh: A top-order option with 260 points, showing promise.
• Swarajeet Das: Another key batter with a consistency rating of 6.
• Kush Agarwal: A risky but exciting pick, especially in the death overs.

Team Analysis & Matchup Outlook

Bihar – Balanced and Experienced

Bihar enters the match with a well-rounded squad that blends experience and youth. The leadership of Sakibul Gani is a big plus, and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds depth to the side. The middle order, led by Mangal Mahrour and Shabbir Khan, offers stability, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi brings the future promise of the team.

The pacers are expected to play a significant role on this Ranchi pitch, and with the likes of Shabbir Khan and Suraj Kashyap, Bihar has the firepower to exploit the conditions.

Meghalaya – Young and Energetic

Meghalaya’s squad is relatively young and eager to make a mark in the Plate division. The side has a few standout performers like Arpit Bhatewara and Kishan Lyngdoh, who have shown consistent performances. However, the lack of a strong middle-order anchor might be a concern, especially against a disciplined attack.

The captaincy of Dippu Sangma will be under the spotlight, and his ability to guide the team in the middle overs could be crucial.

Tactical Insights

• Batters to Watch: Sakibul Gani (Bihar) and Arpit Bhatewara (Meghalaya) will be key in setting or chasing a competitive total.
• Bowlers to Watch: Shabbir Khan (Bihar) and Kishan Lyngdoh (Meghalaya) could be the difference-makers in the death overs.
• Wicketkeeping Options: Bipin Saurav (Bihar) and Arpit Bhatewara (Meghalaya) are solid choices behind the stumps.

Captaincy & Vice-Captaincy Suggestions

• Captain (C): Sakibul Gani (Bihar) – His all-round ability and leadership make him a safe captaincy pick.
• Vice-Captain (VC): Mangal Mahrour (Bihar) – A consistent performer with a strike rate to match.

Injury & Availability

As of now, no injury or unavailability updates have been reported for either team.

Prediction & Pick Strategy

Given the neutral pitch and the current form of key players, Bihar appears to have a slight edge in this encounter. They have a more balanced squad with experienced leaders and a potent bowling attack.

Must-Picks for Small Leagues

• Bihar: Sakibul Gani (415 points), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (435 points)
• Meghalaya: Abhishek Kumar Singh (260 points), Arpit Bhatewara (124 points)

Risky Picks for Grand Leagues

• Bihar: HimanshuI, Sabir Khan
• Meghalaya: Kush Agarwal, Swastic Chettri

Live Streaming & Score Updates

You can follow the live score and updates through platforms like:

• Possible11
• Cricbuzz
• ESPNcricinfo

Final Verdict

This is a crucial match for both teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate 2025-26. While Meghalaya will be eager to make a statement, Bihar’s experience and balanced squad give them the slight advantage. The battle between Sakibul Gani and Dippu Sangma will be one to watch, and the bowlers could decide the outcome in the final overs.

Prediction: Bihar to win by 10-15 runs.