All six north-eastern states to play Ranji from next year
On Friday, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) gave assurance to all six north-eastern states that they will be playing Ranji Trophy as individual units from the next season. However, this year they will play as separate states in the age group categories (U-16, U-19 and U-23). Vinod Rai met with the representatives of the six states, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
North-east convener Naba Bhattacharjee said, "The CoA chief Mr Vinod Rai told us that since Ranji Trophy is starting from October 6, it will be difficult to play this season. However, we will be playing as individual states from next season."
Rai, on his part, maintained that north-east states will only be eligible to play when the Supreme Court pronounces the verdict on their membership status. However, there was some good news- the CoA has decided that there will be a specific North East Zone for the U-16 National Championship (Vinoo Mankad) and U-23 (CK Nayudu Trophy).
The timeline is brewing!
