Himachal Pradesh, Mumbai to play Ranji Trophy in Bilaspur after 25 years

Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh is set to host a Ranji Trophy match after a gap of nearly 25 years, with Himachal Pradesh taking on Mumbai at the Luhnu Cricket Ground from 18 to 21 October, 2026. The four-day contest will begin at 9:30 am each day.

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has completed all necessary preparations for the match. Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar visited the Luhnu Cricket Ground to review the arrangements and take stock of the preparations being made for the successful conduct of the contest.

During his visit, Rahul Kumar inspected the arrangements related to the match and received information about the work completed by the organisers. He said that hosting a Ranji Trophy match in Bilaspur after approximately 25 years, following the previous contest in 2001, was a matter of pride for the district.

The Deputy Commissioner said the prestigious domestic cricket competition would give Bilaspur recognition at the national level. He added that the event would give local sports enthusiasts an opportunity to watch high-level cricket in their own district.

Rahul Kumar welcomed both the Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai teams. He said events of this kind play an important role in promoting sports activities in the district. He appealed to cricket lovers, young people, students and other residents of Bilaspur and nearby areas to reach the Luhnu Cricket Ground in large numbers and encourage the players.

He said prestigious matches also inspire local players. Such contests give them an opportunity to watch the technique, sporting spirit and performance of experienced players from close quarters. This, he said, encourages them to improve their own game.

The match will also carry a social message for young people. Under the message “Say No to Drugs”, they will be encouraged to stay away from drug abuse and take part in sports and other constructive activities.

The contest between Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai is expected to be a special attraction for cricket fans. Mumbai is among the well-known teams in Indian domestic cricket. For local spectators, watching prominent players such as Sarfaraz Khan and Tushar Deshpande on the field will be a special experience.

The match is also expected to give young cricketers in the region an opportunity to understand high-level cricket and motivation to develop their talent. The presence of teams from Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai will allow aspiring players to observe the contest and learn from the standard of the game being played.

Rahul Kumar said the event would promote sports activities in Bilaspur and also provide a boost to tourism in the district. He said the hosting of a prestigious competition such as the Ranji Trophy at the Luhnu Cricket Ground would showcase Bilaspur’s sports facilities and tourism potential.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, events of this kind could also strengthen the possibilities of hosting other national-level sports competitions in Bilaspur in the future.

He again appealed to all sports lovers, young people, students and residents of the district to visit the Luhnu Cricket Ground from 18 to 21 October, enjoy the exciting contest and encourage the players of both teams.

The match between Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai will be played over four days, with play scheduled to start at 9:30 am every day. District Cricket Association Secretary Vishal Jagota and other office-bearers of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association were also present during the arrangements review.