Arunachal Pradesh forfeits their Ranji Trophy Plate Group opener against Nagaland, scheduled to start in Ahmedabad, as the team cannot be fielded amid an administrative crisis in the state cricket association. The dispute also prevents the state from proceeding with a Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-19 match against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar, which Arunachal fails to take part in.
The crisis follows leadership and governance issues within the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association. Elections held in September name Nabam Vivek as president, but multiple district associations challenge the process in the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court, alleging irregularities. With a court stay in place, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unable to intervene or constitute an independent selection panel, pending court clearance. Arunachal finished last in the Plate Group standings last season, losing all five matches, alongside other teams including Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim.