Kolkata: The rapid rise of Bihar cricket has gathered pace with emerging fast bowlers Vasudeo Prasad and Rinkle Tiwary being selected by the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation for a high-performance training programme in Australia.Their selection further underlines Bihar’s transformation from being on the cricketing fringes to one of India’s emerging centres for fast-bowling talent, with the state producing India internationals Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep – albeit from Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) – and IPL cricketers Sakib Hussain and Mohd Izhar, and teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in recent years.Vasudeo and Rinkle secured their places after successfully clearing a nationwide selection trial conducted by MRF Pace Foundation. Significantly, only two players from across India were selected for this exclusive overseas programme this year, and both belong to Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).Recognised as one of the world’s premier centres for nurturing young fast bowlers, MRF Pace Foundation has played a key role in shaping several Indian pacers over the years. Recently, Sakib and Izhar have also trained under the programme. So, the opportunity to train in Australia is expected to play a crucial role in the development of both youngsters.Vasudeo, a resident of Muzaffarpur, has represented Bihar at the Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 levels and has impressed with his performances in Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) domestic tournaments. Known for his pace and consistency, the youngster has steadily progressed through Bihar’s age-group system and is regarded as one of the state’s brightest fast-bowling prospects.Rinkle, hailing from Gopalganj, has represented Bihar at the Under-19 level and has been part of BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) programme. His rise began after being identified through BCA’s “Search for Fast Bowlers” initiative under the “Khelega Bihar, To Badhega Bihar” programme during the tenure of former BCA president Rakesh Tiwari.Rinkle later went on to represent east zone in BCCI tournaments and has continued to develop into one of Bihar’s most promising young pacers.“This is a proud moment for Bihar cricket and reflects the steady rise in the standard of cricket in the state,” BCA president Harsh Vardhan said. BCA secretary Ziaul Arfin added, “Their selection is an inspiration for aspiring cricketers across Bihar, and we are confident they will make the most of this opportunity.”The selection of Vasudeo and Rinkle marks another milestone in Bihar cricket’s resurgence and reinforces the state’s growing reputation as a producer of quality fast bowlers capable of competing at the highest level.
