Chetan Bist

Chetan Bist is an absolute run machine who topped the Ranji Trophy run charts in 2021/22 hitting 5 centuries, in only 4 games, amongst 623 runs at 311.50.

An accomplished wicket-keeper batter, who doubles as a very useful off-spinner, Bist plays his domestic cricket for Nagaland in India. He moved to the mountainous north-eastern state for the 2020/21 season, following 6 seasons with Rajasthan (2013/14-19/20).

It’s fair to say Bist has excelled. In the absence of Ranji Trophy cricket due to COVID (2020/21), Bist impressed in white-ball cricket, in particular the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy. He was a standout during the past two tournaments averaging 76.50 (2020/21), and 51.00 (2021/22).

Roll on February 2022 and the return of Ranji Trophy cricket. Bist would go on to top the Ranji run charts hitting 623 runs at 311.50 with 5 centuries against Sikkim (115), Arunachal (155*), Mizoram (119, 100*), and Jharkhand (122*) in the Preliminary quarter-final.

Prior to his move north, Bist was a steady performer for Rajasthan hitting 1,266 runs at 28.13 in Ranji Trophy cricket, including 2 centuries and 8 fifties. His numbers in white-ball cricket are equally impressive with List A and T20 averages in the high 20s.

With the gloves, he is gifted behind the sticks with over 200 dismissals in his 100 domestic games and counting.

The talented Indian all-rounder, who spent several dominant seasons in South Africa (Chatsworth United) prior to breaking into Indian domestic cricket, enjoyed a prolific maiden UK stint in 2022. Playing for Tonge, he was amongst the top pros in the Bolton League hitting 719 runs at 59.92 (alongside 16 wickets at 23.19) despite his late arrival due to visa delays.

Unfortunately for Bist, he couldn't live up to the dizzy heights from the previous Ranji season, only hitting 1 century amongst 303 runs at 25.25 (that said did score 145 runs at 48.33 in the T20s) last summer. However, it's obvious Bist is clearly some player, who is more than capable to achieving much more in the game.

Bist is looking to go big in domestic cricket this summer, and thereafter is eager to return to Northern shores in 2024 and will be, without doubt, one of the most sought-after professionals on the market.