The opening phase of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season has produced an unusual result: a Plate Group match ended without a single ball being bowled after Arunachal Pradesh forfeited their fixture against Nagaland.
Arunachal Pradesh were scheduled to face Nagaland on October 11 in Ahmedabad, but their absence handed Nagaland a walkover victory and six points. In a further twist, the Nagaland team did not even travel to the venue — the BCCI had already informed officials that Arunachal Pradesh would not be able to participate, so Nagaland headed to the airport instead of waiting at the ground.
Association dispute behind the forfeit
Arunachal Pradesh could not field a team because of an ongoing dispute within the Arunachal Cricket Association. The association is divided into two factions, and the legal battle between them has prevented the selection of the state's Ranji Trophy squad for the 2026-27 season.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier explained that the board could not proceed with cricket-related decisions, including team selection, because of the conflict. Cricket associations representing six districts of Arunachal Pradesh have alleged irregularities in the ACA elections and demanded fresh elections. The matter is currently being heard by the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court.
Until the dispute is resolved, Arunachal Pradesh's participation in the domestic season remains uncertain. The state is scheduled to face Sikkim next week, and that fixture could also be affected if the legal proceedings do not lead to a timely resolution.
The forfeiture is significant because it is being reported as the first such instance in the Ranji Trophy in 17 years. In 2009, Services declined to travel to Srinagar because of security concerns, resulting in a walkover victory for Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources:
Ranji Trophy: Match Result Decided Without A Ball Bowled, Arunachal Pradesh Forfeit
Arunachal Pradesh were scheduled to face Nagaland on October 11 in Ahmedabad, but their absence handed Nagaland a walkover victory and six points. In a further twist, the Nagaland team did not even travel to the venue — the BCCI had already informed officials that Arunachal Pradesh would not be able to participate, so Nagaland headed to the airport instead of waiting at the ground.
Association dispute behind the forfeit
Arunachal Pradesh could not field a team because of an ongoing dispute within the Arunachal Cricket Association. The association is divided into two factions, and the legal battle between them has prevented the selection of the state's Ranji Trophy squad for the 2026-27 season.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier explained that the board could not proceed with cricket-related decisions, including team selection, because of the conflict. Cricket associations representing six districts of Arunachal Pradesh have alleged irregularities in the ACA elections and demanded fresh elections. The matter is currently being heard by the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court.
Until the dispute is resolved, Arunachal Pradesh's participation in the domestic season remains uncertain. The state is scheduled to face Sikkim next week, and that fixture could also be affected if the legal proceedings do not lead to a timely resolution.
The forfeiture is significant because it is being reported as the first such instance in the Ranji Trophy in 17 years. In 2009, Services declined to travel to Srinagar because of security concerns, resulting in a walkover victory for Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources:
Ranji Trophy: Match Result Decided Without A Ball Bowled, Arunachal Pradesh Forfeit