Legal Dispute Halts Arunachal Cricket Association, Trophy Entry Missed

The Venu Mankad Trophy, which kicked off on October 8, 2026, will proceed without a team from Arunachal Pradesh, according to BCCI official Devjit Saikia.

The state's cricket body is currently divided into two rival factions, and the matter is before the Guwahati High Court’s Itanagar bench. A stay order issued earlier this year stopped any administrative activity, leaving the association leaderless.

The court heard arguments in early September but has not yet rendered a verdict. This legal limbo means Arunachal could not prepare a junior men’s side for the tournament, and the BCCI clarified it cannot interfere while the dispute remains unresolved.

The tournament features 36 teams split across six elite groups and a plate group, with elite group matches slated for October 27 and plate group games beginning on October 18.