Devajit Saikia talking to press - (Source: AFP)The new edition of Vinoo Mankad Trophy is underway. The prestigious under-19 event features teams from across the country locking horns. However, in a significant development, Arunachal Pradesh did not field its team for the match against Sikkim.The two teams were set to meet in the plate group at the KIIT Cricket Stadium in Bhubaneswar, but Arunachal Pradesh forfeited the match due to an ongoing legal case.Legal Case Keeps Arunachal Away From Fielding A TeamThe Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association has been dealing with several legal cases, which has prevented it from fielding a team for the ongoing Vinoo Mankad Trophy. According to Arunachal News Live, six district associations in the State had alleged violations of rules and procedures in the conduct of the Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA) State executive elections and demanded a re-election.The matter was heard in the first week of September. To date, the judgment has not come, and the interim order is in operation.Arunachal Pradesh Risks Ranji Trophy Participation; BCCI ReactsNow, amid the legal case, the court has issued an interim stay on the association’s functioning, which includes team selection. Therefore, there are doubts over Arunachal Pradesh’s participation in Ranji Trophy as well.Recently, BCCI Devajit Saikia also commented on the matter and confirmed that there is an interim stay on the functioning of the association.“Because of the internal bickering between the two factions, there is litigation and a stay order regarding the functioning of the association. As a result, nobody could take up the matter of team selection or preparation, and ultimately the Arunachal team will not be playing in the age-group tournament,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said.ALSO READBengal Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Squad For 1st Match Announced, Mohammed Shami Included“I have an apprehension about what will happen to the Arunachal Pradesh team when the Ranji Trophy begins on October 11. I cannot say at this moment what will happen in the first match and whether they will be able to field a team or not,” Saikia further added.As a result of the forfeit, the match will be awarded to Sikkim. As per BCCI’s playing conditions relating to the ‘BCCI Match Referee awarding a match’, section 16.2.1.2 states that, “A match shall be lost by a side which in the opinion of the BCCI Match Referee, refuses to play and the BCCI Match Referee shall award the match to the other side.”ALSO READBrad Haddin, James Hopes Exit Punjab Kings; Ricky Ponting Left Alone Before IPL 2027
