Shillong, Jan 4: In a historic decision for state cricket, the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has decided not to employ guest professional players for the opening match of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, instead preferring to rely solely on domiciled talent for the prestigious men’s first-class tournament.
Meghalaya had utilised the services of three professionals in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament and Vijay Hazare Trophy one day tournament – Rajesh Bishnoi, Tanmay Mishra and Nakul Verma – and, while they did play important roles, it had long been the aim of the MCA to go with players who have developed under the association’s tutelage.
It will thus be a tremendous privilege, big challenge and huge opportunity for the Meghalaya players to demonstrate their class, skill and talent on the big stage.
Meghalaya will play their first match against Arunachal Pradesh in Anand, Gujarat, from Friday. The other teams in the group are Hyderabad, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim.
The 15-member squad will be led by Kishan Lyngdoh as captain. Akash Kumar Choudhary was meant to serve as his deputy but an injury means that he will miss the match and his place in the squad has been taken by fellow fast bowler Chengkam Sangma.
Meghalaya squad: Arbin Singh, Arien Bonchang Sangma, Bamanbha Shangpliang, Bijon Dey, Dippu Ch Sangma, Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva, Kishan Lyngdoh, Lerry G Sangma, Md Nafees Siddique, Ram Gurung, Raj Biswa, Swarajeet Das, Sanvert Kurkalang, Tarique Siddique.
Support staff: Goutam Shome (head coach), Moisten Ch Marak (assistant coach), Surojit Biswas (physio), Vikash Singh Chauhan (trainer), Dister Marbaniang (manager).
Fixtures:
vs Arunachal Pradesh, from January 5
vs Hyderabad, from January 12
vs Nagaland, from January 19
vs Mizoram, from January 26
vs Sikkim, from February 2
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