Cricket News: BCCI's New Diktat To North East Teams

Complying with the recommendations of the Lodha Panel, the Board for Board of Control for Cricket in India inducted Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim associations last month. New teams from North east are to debut in the upcoming Ranji season. But, with less than two months to go for the Ranji Trophy season cricket associations from the region are facing desperate times. Cricket associations from the region headed by Naba Bhattacharjee, met BCCI officials in Mumbai and the meeting was attended by BCCI General Manager Saba Karim and AGM KVP Rao. In the meeting these associations were advised not to take the easy way out of importing players from the other parts and instead focus on the long-term goal of developing local talent. These associations lack infrastructure and a skeletal talent pool. However, BCCI has ensured that they will appoint all the six states with their accreditated NCA coaches, physios and trainers and will be making direct payments to the vendors. Another key issue discussed was about the criteria of domicile for all those who want to use the opportunity to get first-class matches under their belt. A player needs to show birth certificate, at least two years of employment in those new states, bank account in those states if he wishes to play for new teams. A total of three professional players will be allowed to play in the team.