Arunachal Pradesh's domestic cricket campaign has been dealt a blow, as the state forfeited its opening match of the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy Plate Group against Nagaland. Set to commence on Sunday, October 11, in Ahmedabad, the fixture was lost due to an administrative crisis that has left the Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA) in disarray.
Players are not only affected by the loss of a match, but the dispute over the leadership of the association, along with a legal battle before the Gauhati High Court, has impeded the smooth functioning of the cricket team. Selection, training, and preparations have been placed in jeopardy, which could threaten Arunachal Pradesh's participation in the domestic tournament.
A leadership row leaves the Arunachal Pradesh cricket association in disarray
The crisis revolves around a leadership row in the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association (ACA). The ACA elections were held in September 2026, in which Nabam Vivek was elected as the president. However, some of the district cricket associations have challenged the results before the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court, questioning the election process.
The court has reserved its order after hearing the case. A stay of the order has left the association in disarray as it is unable to make crucial administrative decisions for the time being. The problem arises: who will be in charge of the state's cricket activities?
The fallout of the crisis has already impacted cricket, as player selection, training camps, and tour party arrangements are some of the most crucial aspects of a domestic cricket season. The players, who were supposed to report for the Arunachal Pradesh team, are left confused as to whom to approach for reporting instructions. Additionally, the team's opening match of the Ranji Trophy has been washed out.
Such a situation shows how a dispute between administrative bodies can impact the game. A team has its set of players ready to play but has issues taking them on the field due to the lack of administrative control.
Why the BCCI can't step in immediately
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also been reluctant to intervene immediately due to the ongoing court proceedings. According to a PTI report, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the association's interference in the ACA's affairs has been restricted due to the court's stay order.
He further mentioned that the ACA currently did not have an administrative setup and that the BCCI would have to wait till the situation was cleared in the Itanagar court. The involvement of the judiciary had made things complicated for the BCCI as an administrative matter.
The situation in Arunachal Pradesh is also slightly different from Bihar's cricket administration issue, in which the BCCI had intervened by setting up an independent selectorate. The current situation in Arunachal Pradesh will require similar steps to be taken by the BCCI.
However, the immediate problem is not with the selectors or the players but with the authority that has the jurisdiction to appoint them.
The situation has not only impacted the senior team. Arunachal Pradesh's Under-19 team failed to turn up for their Vinoo Mankad Trophy match against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, October 8. It was the second consecutive league match that the team failed to play, citing the lack of authority over selection and administrative matters.
It shows how an internal dispute can affect the game at various levels. The age-group teams are the breeding grounds for senior domestic cricket. Therefore, such disruptions can hinder young players' progress and limit their competitiveness in the senior divisions.
The player development pathway suffers when an administrative setup fails to hold regular tournaments. Such a scenario becomes more challenging for the players when they have to face an adverse environment while preparing themselves for the domestic season.
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What happens next for Arunachal Pradesh cricket?
The administration needs to sort out the issue immediately and intervene in the ongoing court proceedings. The ACA needs the administrative setup to make selections, finalize training camps, and organize the domestic tournaments for the time being until the situation gets stabilized. The association's immediate priority is to ensure that the domestic calendar is completed.
The forfeit of the Ranji Trophy opener has been a major setback for Arunachal Pradesh's domestic cricket. If not sorted out soon, the situation can deteriorate further and affect more games. Apart from the senior team, the age-group teams are also suffering from these disruptions.
Arunachal Pradesh's cricket season is in the hands of the judiciary. The players want to get their game on the field, making decisions away from the cricket pitch.