Nalanda boy Veer Pratap Singh (encircled) with Sourav Ganguly (extreme left) and his Bengal teammates, after the Vijay Hazare Trophy victory. Telegraph picture

Veer Pratap Singh, a right arm pace bowler from Nalanda who moved to Bengal four years ago to start his domestic career, will begin his run up in Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.

The member of Bengal’s Ranji squad has been selected by Deccan Chargers to play in the popular league, scheduled to start from April 4. His services were purchased for the base price of Rs 20 lakh.

Singh told The Telegraph from Calcutta: “I am thankful to the Bengal team and Sourav Ganguly for allowing me to show my talent in the Ranji matches. My performance in domestic cricket led to my selection in the IPL.”

The young cricketer was also a member of the Bengal squad that lifted the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday. However, he did not play in any of the matches.

Asked if he faced discrimination in the Bengal team as he was from Bihar, he said: “For Dada, all players are equal. Those who perform, get chances to play.”

Singh, who has also trained at Dennis Lillee’s MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, also said he moved to the neighbouring state on the advice of his seniors, as Bihar does not have an official cricketing body.

Sources said the three unofficial bodies are more involved in constant bickering rather than promoting young players. “The victims of the prolonged fights among the various associations are the state’s young cricketers,” said Singh.

Senior cricketers of the state agreed with him.

Amikar Dayal, who runs Cricket Academy of Bihar at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna, said: “For the past 10 years — since BCCI (Board for Cricket Control in India) derecognised Bihar Cricket Association — the state has become a graveyard for budding cricketers. Lack of infrastructure and apathy of the government has worsened the prospects.”

As a result, most talented players from Bihar move to other states.