Arunachal Pradesh forfeit Ranji Trophy opener due to administrative crisis
Arunachal Pradesh forfeited their Ranji Trophy opener against Nagaland after a legal dispute left the state association without a functioning authority to select a team.
Arunachal Pradesh forfeited their Ranji Trophy Plate group opener against Nagaland on Sunday due to an ongoing administrative crisis within the state cricket association. The forfeiture stems from a dispute between two factions and a case pending before the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court.
The association held elections last month in which Nabam Vivek was elected president. Multiple district associations approached the High Court alleging irregularities in the electoral process. The court issued a stay order, preventing the BCCI from forming an independent selection panel as it did in Bihar's case.
Arunachal Pradesh are scheduled to play Sikkim in their second match starting October 18 at the Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium in Nadiad. Under tournament rules, the state team could face suspension for the remainder of the season for forfeiting the match.
CricHubb Take
The forfeiture exposes how fragile state associations remain when internal governance breaks down. Without a functioning selection process, player careers are held hostage to court proceedings that could extend through the entire season.