Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign began on a good note with three points in an away encounter against Uttar Pradesh. Taking on an unheralded Bihar at home next calls for an ideal scenario to back the good start with an outright win, but Bengal are careful to not get complacent.

“In cricket, there cannot be any room whatsoever for complacency. So, no matter who we’re up against, we have to make sure we play our A-game,” head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said on Thursday, the eve of Bengal’s clash against Bihar at the Bengal Cricket Academy (BCA) ground in Kalyani.

“Bihar have earned their place in the Ranji elite league and on their day, they can
surprise their opponents.
So, we have to give them the respect they deserve,” Shukla emphasised.

The BCA pitch has a fair bit of grass cover to keep the pacers in the contest, while there’s a forecast of rain too over the next couple of days.

Bengal, however, will have to rest pace spearhead Mukesh Kumar as per “instructions from the BCCI and the National Cricket Academy”. It has been learnt that Mukesh is in the fray for the India A squad for the four-day games against Australia A next month.

In Mukesh’s place, young pacer Rohit Kumar is set to be included with Avilin Ghosh — the other debutant — coming in place of an indisposed Wriddhiman Saha. Off-spinner Aamir Gani may replace Writtick Chatterjee.

This game will also mark opener Abhimanyu Easwaran’s 100th first-class appearance.

Match starts: 9am