Shillong, Jan 2: The Meghalaya Cricket Association has named its squad for the second half of the U-23 men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy 2025-26, which will commence later this month.
In contrast to most other state teams this season, Meghalaya are in the Col CK Nayudu elite group and have been up against some of the best teams in the country in Elite Group A. They lost two matches but held out for an inspiring draw against Goa at home in November. Meghalaya are seventh out of eight teams in the group, with Kerala at the bottom.
The multi-day Col CK Nayudu Trophy was split into two halves this season, with the U-23 men’s one day tournament taking place in between.
Meghalaya’s squad has seen a few changes, with Chandra Bahadur Thapa included in the squad of 15, along with Pushkar Raj Singh, Thunun Marak and Denikcheng Marak. All four did well in the State A Trophy.
Two of the four upcoming matches will be held in Tura at the Alotgre Ground. The first of these will be against Kerala from 30th January while the next will involve Gujarat from 13th February.
A short practice camp will be held from 17th to 19th January in Shillong before the team depart for the first match against Jharkhand in Ranchi. Players and support staff should all report in Shillong on 16th January.
Meghalaya squad: Dipankar Baruah (WK), Kevin Christopher (C), Asif Khan, Avinash Rai, Manish Sharma (VC), Shavian Blah, PM Santosh, Sudhir Sahani, Josiah Momin, Gavineal Marpna, Rohit Kumar Yadav, Thunun Marak (WK), Pushkar Raj Singh, Denikcheng Marak, Chandra Bahadur Thapa
Standbys: Sachin Kumar, Purav Agarwal, Dairo A Marak, Gulgul M Sangma, Banialam Mylliemngap
Support staff: Neetesh Sharma (Head Coach), Marty Mustafa (Assistant Coach), Emidao Dhar (Physio), Skhembor Khongbtep (Trainer), Chuba R Marak (Manager)
(Meghalaya Cricket Association file photo)