Chhattisgarh to play Ranji Trophy after BCCI gives full membership

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday awarded full membership status to Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS), making the state eligible to take part in the Ranji Trophy next season.

The state will be a part of the Central Zone for all BCCI tournaments.

"The members approved the recommendation of the affiliation committee of BCCI to grant full member status to Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh. They will be a part of the Central Zone for all the BCCI tournaments," the BCCI said in a release.

The BCCI's special general meeting, where the decision was taken, was attended by CSCS president Baldev Singh Bhatia.

"We are happy that BCCI has awarded us full membership status and we can now play in the Ranji Trophy. The talented boys who are in our state are eager to perform well in the competition and aim for a place in the national side soon," Bhatia told reporters here on Friday.

"I thank BCCI for this and I am sure cricket in Chhattisgarh from now on will make the country proud," the CSCS chief added.

The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) led by secretary Mrityunjay Tiwary, was also allowed to participate in the working committee meeting on Friday.

"On behalf of BCA, I say that I am happy that we were allowed to participate in the working committee meeting and for that I thank the BCCI president Shashank Manohar and others. I hope this relationship will continue further," Tiwary said.