Shillong, Nov 2: The fallout of the dispute between Meghalaya Cricket Association President James PK Sangma MP (pictured) and the rest of his Apex Council reached the cricket pitch today as the former’s choice of players replaced the latter’s in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 for the start of the plate group match against Nagaland here.
Players from the Apex Council team milled about outside the ground, all kitted out. However, it wasn’t they who took to the field.
As a result of the High Court of Meghalaya verdict on Friday, the team chosen by the Apex Council was deemed to be illegal. This stemmed from a meeting held by the Apex Council on 7th September where the process for selection trials was begun. The High Court ruled that the meeting was invalid (non est) because it had not invited appointed members from the Accountant General’s office and Indian Cricketers’ Association and because the resolutions adopted were taken while stay orders from the court were in effect.
Before Friday’s order the Apex Council team (along with that of the U-23 men’s and women’s teams) had been recognised by the BCCI and represented the state in three Ranji Trophy matches, winning one and taking two draws – enough to put them in second place with 12 points.
Many of the excluded players and support staff were outside the ground today morning, unhappily looking on as others took their place in the state team. It wasn’t a surprise that they had been replaced as Sangma had announced a change in squad for this match yesterday evening. The U-23 men’s team in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy has also been replaced; the Sangma team was on their way to Sikkim this morning for a match to begin tomorrow.
Speaking after the Ranji game got underway, Sangma said that this team was legitimately selected after the Apex Council “didn’t have the proper quorum,” which made its resolutions “null and void”.
On the issue of the players, who have been dragged into this administrative dispute through no fault of their own, the MCA President expressed empathy for them.
“It is the selection committee that will make the decision on the players, I won’t get involved in that,” he said. “We have players who love the sport and for whom this is also a livelihood, so it is unfortunate that they have to go through all of this. Meghalaya cricket stands at the bottom and we want to bring it up. That will only happen when we choose the best and revamp the association. We have a wonderful talent pool here in Meghalaya and, given support, I’m sure we will rise.”
Sangma appeared less conciliatory towards his opponents in the Apex Council and district associations. “Every association or organisation has its complications. What is of importance is a willingness to work together and how to carry everyone along. For that you need people who are likeminded and share the passion of uplifting the game.”
The sidelined players and support staff were later involved in a closed-door conversation with Jason J Lamare, a member of the MCA’s cricket advisory committee, one of the most senior former state cricketers and Sangma ally.
Afterwards, coach Neetesh Sharma described the mood among his charges.
“The players are feeling utterly dejected but we didn’t want to create a scene,” he said. “They call us illegal but this is a failure of the administration, not the fault of the boys. It should have been sorted out there (he pointed to the MCA office), not on the field.”
Sharma added: “This is the first time where a team that has been doing well is being replaced. Despite this dispute the boys have performed so well. Even if the process (of selection) was wrong they shouldn’t punish the players.”
The only possible silver lining in this cloud for the players and Meghalaya cricket is that Lamare, according to Sharma, said that these sidelined cricketers would be allowed to appear for trials for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 tournament. However, district associations in the anti-Sangma camp might not look favourably on that – at least one had warned of disciplinary action for any of its players who appeared for the Sangma-sanctioned trials before the season began.
The legal fight may not be over either. After the judgement was handed down by the Meghalaya High Court on Friday, Rayonald Kharkamni, the suspended Honorary Secretary, told the media that there is two weeks’ time to file an appeal in the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s decision.
“You can keep me out of the game but you can never take cricket out of my heart. My passion doesn’t depend on opportunities, positions or recognition. It lives within me and it will remain forever,” he said in a WhatsApp message.
(TSR photo)
