Shillong, Aug 12: On the back of their strong performance last season, three Meghalaya Cricket Association players have been selected to represent the North East Zone in the BCCI’s coveted Duleep Trophy 2025-26, it was announced today.
Batter Arpit Bhatewara, fast bowler Akash Kumar Choudhary and left-arm orthodox spinner Aryan Borah are the three Meghalayans in the 15-member squad. Akash, who was also part of the squad last season, has been named vice-captain of the regional team.
The squad was chosen by the North East Zonal Selection Committee, which met on Monday in Guwahati. The Duleep Trophy 2025-26 will be held in Bengaluru from 28th August to 15th September and the North East Zone comprises Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
Selection was aimed at arriving at a well-balanced squad with expertise in bowling, batting and fielding departments and based on the performance of the players who participated in various BCCI Tournaments in 2024-25.
In addition to the squad of 15, seven standbys were also named, including one from Meghalaya – pace bowler Dippu Sangma.
Vikash Singh Chauhan, the Meghalaya team’s trainer, was also selected as the North East Zone’s trainer for the tournament.
A pre-tournament camp will be held in Dimapur, hosted by the Nagaland Cricket Association, from 18th to 24th August. The team will then depart for Bengaluru from Dimapur on 25th August. The overall expenses for the camp will be shared equally by the six North East states.
North East Zone squad:
Techi Doria (Arunachal), Yumnam Karnajit (Manipur), Sedezhalie Rupero (Nagaland), Ashish Thapa (Sikkim), Hem Bahadur Chetri (Nagaland), Jehu Anderson (Mizoram), Arpit Subash Bhatewara (Meghalaya), Pheiroijam Jotin Singh (Manipur), Palzor Tamang (Sikkim), Jonathan Rongsen (C) (Nagaland), Ankur Malik (Sikkim), Akash Kumar Choudhary (VC) (Meghalaya), Bishworjit Singh Konthoujam (Manipur), Aryan Borah (Meghalaya), Lamabam Ajay Singh (Manipur)
Standbys:
Kamsha Yangfo (Arunachal), Rajkumar Rex Singh (Manipur), Bobby Zothansanga (Mizoram), Dippu Sangma (Meghalaya), Pukhrambam Prafullomani Singh (Manipur), Lee Yong Lepcha (Sikkim), Imliwati Lemtur (Nagaland)
Support staff:
Coach – Anant Rangarao (Arunachal)
Assistant Coach – Sonam Palden Bhutia (Sikkim)
Physio – Mowalong Kichu (Nagaland)
Trainer – Vikash Singh Chauhan (Meghalaya)
Masseur – Ngangbam Maheshkumar Singh (Manipur)
Manager – Raj Kumar Jaishi (Mizoram)
Performance Analyst – to be recommended by BCCI
(Meghalaya Cricket Association photo. Meeting of North East Zone state representatives, with MCA Honorary Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni and Honorary Treasurer Dhrubajyoti Thakuria in attendance)
