Major controversy erupts as Meghalaya team is changed in Ranji Trophy

The Meghalaya team has suffered a major blow just one day before their match against Nagaland in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group. Due to an ongoing internal dispute within the state cricket association, the previous team has been suspended and a new team has been inducted in its place.

The team players had already conducted practice sessions and attended the meeting with the match referee. However, they were informed in the evening that they are no longer the official team of the state association. Regarding this, batsman Rahul Dalal stated that they had gone for practice and the match referee had assured them that they would play as they were approved by the BCCI, but they were later informed via phone that they did not have permission to play.

This entire controversy stems from a clash between Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) President James Sangma and the Apex Council that has been persisting for several months. The matter turned into a legal battle, in which the state High Court ruled in favour of Sangma. The court declared the team selected by the Apex Council, which had already played three rounds, as invalid. Subsequently, Sangma's group hastily selected a new team, in which all players from the Apex Council's team have been excluded.

The dispute began with the suspension of Secretary Reynold Kharkama, who is accused of suppressing complaints of sexual harassment by players. The High Court upheld the suspension, dismissing the appeal of Kharkama's group. BCCI Secretary Debjit Saikia stated that a case is ongoing in the High Court between the President's group and the Secretary, and following the court's verdict, the President's group has selected the team. Sangma has not made any comment on this matter.