Cricket
Meghalaya infighting: Ranji squad sacked, new players selected following court order
The 2026–27 Indian domestic cricket season has seen its share of drama, but the situation unfolding in Shillong reaches unprecedented levels of organizational collapse. In the middle of the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy Plate League, Meghalaya’s entire starting squad was removed overnight and replaced by a hastily assembled group of players—some of whom had not played a red-ball match all season, while guest professionals were flown in over the weekend without meeting their teammates prior to match day.
The sudden upheaval stems from severe internal strife within the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA), culminating in a landmark Meghalaya High Court ruling.
High Court Ruling Triggers Overnight Overhaul
The crisis erupted following a court verdict upholding the authority of MCA President James Sangma and confirming the suspension of MCA Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni. Kharkamni had been suspended following allegations that he failed to act on sexual harassment complaints raised by players from Meghalaya’s Under-23 women’s team earlier in the year.
The High Court declared all resolutions and team selections made by the rival Apex Council faction invalid, effectively deeming the squad that played the first three rounds of the Ranji Trophy "illegal."
From Match-Eve Assurance to Eviction
For the displaced players, the execution of the court order came as a complete shock:
Pre-Match Assurances: On the eve of the fourth-round fixture against Nagaland, original captain Kishan Lyngdoh attended the standard pre-match meeting. The squad was assured by match referee Arindam Sarkar that they were the recognized team to take the field.
The Midnight Switch: Late that night, the decision reversed. The BCCI registered a newly approved roster, rendering the original selection ineligible.
Match-Day Eviction: When the original players arrived at the venue with their gear set up in the dressing room, they were asked to pack their bags and vacate the premises immediately.
Armed Presence: Heavy police security and armed personnel were deployed at the venue on the opening morning to prevent potential disruption or protests from the ousted squad.
On-Field Fallout: Zero Preparation and Emergency Squads
The newly appointed Meghalaya XI—captained by former Punjab opener Jiwanjot Singh alongside guest professionals Srinivas Sharath and Akshay Karnewar—entered the match under extraordinary circumstances.
Prior to the toss, the players had not held a single full training session together. Their pre-match preparation consisted entirely of light fielding drills conducted right before play began. Unsurprisingly, the rustiness showed: Nagaland posted 254 in their first innings before rolling over the emergency Meghalaya side for just 144.
Outside of fast bowler Akash Choudhary, who participated in the Duleep Trophy earlier in the season, almost the entire domestic portion of the new squad lacked red-ball match practice this year.
Widespread Turmoil Across North-Eastern State Associations
Meghalaya’s situation highlights broader administrative instability across northeastern cricket administration this season.
Earlier in the Ranji Trophy Plate League, Arunachal Pradesh was forced to forfeit its opening round—also against Nagaland—due to an ongoing legal dispute between competing factions inside their association. The BCCI eventually intervened by forming an ad-hoc three-member selection committee, led by Khairul Majumdar, to handle team selections for Arunachal Pradesh across men’s and women’s domestic fixtures.
Unanswered Questions for Affected Players
While some displaced players have reportedly been offered trials ahead of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, official clarity remains nonexistent. Affected squad members have expressed deep frustration at being caught in the crossfire of administrative disputes, leaving their participation for the remainder of the domestic season in complete limbo.