Arunachal Pradesh are deemed to have forfeited their opening match against Nagaland in the Ranji Trophy Plate division. The match was scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 11, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The team will also miss its opening CK Nayudu Trophy match against Meghalaya, scheduled for October 12.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that both matches would not take place. An official from the BCCI’s Cricket Operations team informed the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) about the decision.
GCA officials informed the Nagaland team, which is based in Ahmedabad, on Saturday evening. They also said further details about Arunachal Pradesh’s upcoming matches would be shared in due course.
“We have been informed by a GCA official that there will be no match tomorrow. It was to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium. We don’t have further information,” a member of the Nagaland team told Cricbuzz on Saturday evening.
Ahmedabad has served as Arunachal Pradesh’s home venue for domestic cricket over the past few years. Their next Ranji Trophy match is scheduled against Sikkim in Nadiad from October 18.
Arunachal Pradesh’s opening CK Nayudu Trophy match against Manipur was scheduled to begin on October 12 at the MCA Cricket Ground, Polo Ground, in Shillong. That match has also been cancelled. Their next fixture in the tournament is against Nagaland at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Anand from October 19.
Dispute Over Arunachal Cricket Association Elections
The situation follows a dispute over elections to the Arunachal Cricket Association (ARCA), which is now before the courts. The Gauhati High Court is hearing the case and has reserved its verdict.
The ongoing dispute has affected cricketing activities in the state. With no legitimate governing body in place, Arunachal Pradesh have not selected a team for the season. The training camp that was previously held in Ahmedabad has also not taken place.
Arunachal Pradesh had a difficult campaign in the Ranji Trophy Plate division last season, losing all five matches. Their record in the tournament has also been poor over the years. They have won just one of their 41 Ranji Trophy matches, beating Bihar in 2022.
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