Arunachal Pradesh forfeits Ranji Trophy opener amid cricket association crisis

Arunachal Pradesh has forfeited its Ranji Trophy Plate Group opening match against Nagaland due to an ongoing administrative deadlock within the Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA). The forfeiture, which took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, follows a similar failure to field a team for a Vinoo Mankad Trophy fixture against Sikkim earlier this week.

The crisis is rooted in a legal dispute regarding the ACA’s September elections, where Nabam Vivek was elected president. Several district associations have challenged the results in the Gauhati High Court, alleging irregularities. Because the court has reserved its order and issued a stay on the board’s functioning, the association currently lacks the authority to manage team selection or operations.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia noted that the legal impasse prevents the Board of Control for Cricket in India from intervening to establish an alternative administrative arrangement or an independent selection panel, as has been done in other instances. Until the court provides clearance, the state body remains paralyzed.