Ranji: Arunachal forfeit opener against Nagaland amid association crisis

Logo of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Arunachal Pradesh have forfeited their opening Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Nagaland, which was scheduled to start on Sunday in Ahmedabad.The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute within the state cricket association, with two rival groups fighting for control and a related case pending before the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar bench.The administrative crisis has also affected the state’s age-group cricket.

Arunachal Pradesh failed to field their Under-19 team for a Vinoo Mankad Trophy match against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, as the association currently lacks a functioning authority to make team selection decisions.

Court case leaves association in limbo

The state cricket association held elections in September, with Nabam Vivek elected president. However, several district associations challenged the election process in the Gauhati High Court, alleging irregularities.The court has reserved its order in the case, preventing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from stepping in to form an independent selection panel, as it did for Bihar."There is a stay order from the court and the BCCI cannot step in. There is no one running the state body. Until the court gives the clearance, we cannot do anything,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had told PTI.

Poor season adds to Arunachal's woes

Arunachal Pradesh’s latest setback comes after a difficult Ranji Trophy campaign last season, when they finished at the bottom of the Plate Group table after losing all five matches.

The Plate Group also includes Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim. With the association’s leadership dispute unresolved, uncertainty remains over Arunachal Pradesh’s ability to manage team selections and participate smoothly in domestic cricket competitions.