The Rise Of Bihar’s Cricket Prodigies

Last month, when

Ishan Kishan

lit up India with a blistering innings that punctured Pakistan in Colombo, in the T20 World Cup, a widely circulated WhatsApp message said: ‘Ek Bihari sab pe bhaari’ (Takes just one Bihari to bring down all opponents).

Sunday night against New Zealand, when the “Pocket Rocket” delivered another fine performance – a crackling half century, and a clutch of outstanding outfield catches – it’s pretty certain, similar WhatsApp messages were doing the rounds.
Yet, the message isn’t without irony. Ishan was born in Patna, where his father – a real estate businessman – and the rest of his family, are based. But the keeper-batter plays domestic cricket for adjacent Jharkhand, which was carved out of south Bihar in 2000.

In fact, he skippered the state to title triumph in Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament, this year.