Domestic cricket has been overshadowed by off-field turmoil once again as the Arunachal Pradesh men’s cricket team was forced to forfeit their Ranji Trophy Plate Group opener against Nagaland.
The abrupt decision comes in the wake of a severe administrative crisis within the state cricket association.
The root of the issue lies in a bitter dispute between two warring factions vying for control of the association, with a high-stakes case currently pending before the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court. This administrative paralysis has already taken a toll on junior squads; earlier in the week, Arunachal Pradesh failed to field its U19 team for a Vinoo Mankad Trophy game against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar.
Trouble escalated following the association’s elections last month, which saw Nabam Vivek elected as president. However, multiple district associations challenged the outcome, approaching the High Court to allege irregularities in the electoral process.
With the High Court currently reserving its order, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finds its hands tied. Unlike previous interventions—such as stepping in to manage Bihar’s affairs—the governing body is legally restricted from taking charge.
“There is a stay order from the court and BCCI can’t step in. There is no one running the state body. Until the court gives the clearance, we can’t do anything,” said BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
While Nagaland had already travelled to Ahmedabad ready for competition, Arunachal players spent days in limbo, awaiting confirmation that never came. The disruption threatens to derail the team’s entire campaign, especially after finishing at the bottom of the Plate Group standings last season with five losses. Under tournament regulations, consecutive forfeitures could even lead to suspension for the remainder of the season.
The human cost of the administrative deadlock is weighed heavily by the players. Former Arunachal captain Kamsha Yangfo voiced deep concern over the unfolding situation, noting, “We don’t know much about the legalities of the matter, but if we can’t play this season, a lot of careers will be affected.”
As Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Sikkim continue their campaigns in the Plate Group, all eyes remain on the Gauhati High Court to see when—or if—Arunachal Pradesh will be permitted to take the field.
