Arunachal Pradesh in danger of forfeiting Ranji Trophy opener amid association dispute

Arunachal Pradesh face the real prospect of conceding their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Nagaland, set to begin October 11 in Ahmedabad, after a bitter internal split at the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association left the state body without effective leadership. A petition challenging the association's election results is currently before the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court, and the court has reserved its order, leaving the situation unresolved.

The consequences have already reached the playing field. On Thursday, Arunachal Pradesh were unable to send out their Under-19 side for a 50-over Vinoo Mankad Trophy fixture against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar because no official at the association held the authority to make selection decisions. Separately, players on professional contracts with the state this season have received no communication about whether they should assemble in Ahmedabad ahead of the Ranji opener, leaving the squad's participation entirely uncertain.

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How did the association dispute reach this point?

The Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association conducted its election in September, and Nabam Vivek was returned as president. Several district associations subsequently approached the Gauhati High Court, alleging that the polls were conducted with irregularities. With the court having reserved its order and the matter remaining sub-judice, the BCCI has been unable to step in and constitute an independent selection panel, a measure it had previously taken in Bihar's case.

"There is a stay order from the court and the BCCI cannot step in. There is no one running the state body. Until the court gives the clearance, we cannot do anything," said BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia as quoted by Cricinfo.

Vivek, the elected president, could not be contacted at the time of reporting.

What does a forfeit mean for Arunachal Pradesh's Ranji Trophy campaign?

Arunachal Pradesh had a difficult previous Ranji Trophy season, finishing at the foot of the Plate table after losing all five of their matches. For the current campaign, they are grouped with Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim.

Conceding the October 11 match against Nagaland before a ball is bowled would be a damaging start to a season that was already challenging on paper. With no confirmed procedural step available to either the association or the BCCI while the High Court's order remains pending, the earliest any resolution can come is when the court delivers its ruling. Until that point, Arunachal Pradesh's Ranji Trophy participation hangs in the balance.