GUWAHATI: The first Ranji Trophy match after the creation of Meghalaya will be played between the host state and Arunachal Pradesh at the MCA Cricket Ground in Polo, Shillong from Thursday.
“November 1, 2018 will be a historic day for cricket in Meghalaya as the first Ranji match after creation of Meghalaya shall be played on that day,” Naba Bhattacharjee, the secretary of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
In fact, the first Ranji match in Shillong during the Assam era was played at Garrison Ground.
“This match was played between Assam and United Province (present UP) from December 17 to 19, 1948. Players from Shillong in the Assam team were L.N. Karamjee, B. Bose, A. Ahmed besides Britishers PW Bullock, RF Kettle and L. Atkins,” Bhattacharjee recalled.
The Senior Selection Committee of MCA has picked 15 players to represent Meghalaya for the forthcoming BCCI Ranji Trophy, Plate Group.
The team will be led by Jason Lamare while Punit Singh Bisht (guest player – BCCI approved) will be the vice-captain.
The other players are Dipu Sangma, Mark Ingty, Bablu Passah, Gurinder Singh (guest player – BCCI approved), Chengkam Sangma, Yogesh Nagar (guest player – BCCI approved), Abhay Negi, Raj Biswa, Lakhan Singh, Syllvester Mylliempdah, Wallambok Nongkhlaw, Aditya Singhania and Bijon Dey
Besides, four standby players have been picked as well. They are Sanvert Kurkalang, Amiangshu Sen, Tengcham Sangma and Lakhan Chettri.
BCCI assigned coach, Sanath Kumar will be the coach. Rakesh Gohil(BCCI assigned) will be the trainer while Vinod Kumar Jain(BCCI assigned) will be the physio. OL Warjri (MCA – home matches) will be the manager.
“On behalf of the MCA, I appeal to all cricket and sports lovers of Shillong to come to the cricket ground at Polo and extend their support to the team on this historic match. The inaugural function will be held at 7.30am on November 1,” Bhattacharjee said.
The other home Ranji matches of Meghalaya will be played against Nagaland from November 20 to 23, against Bihar from December 14 to 17 and against Mizoram from December 22 to 25, 2018.