The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has officially announced its under-19 men’s squads for the 2025–26 domestic cricket season, setting the stage for the state’s participation in the BCCI’s prestigious Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows a series of selection trials and a close review of players’ past performances. The U-19 side will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Heiyoomiki Ryngkhlem as captain, with Gaurav Narleng appointed vice-captain. Experienced coach Synrapsing Riahtam will guide the boys through the season, with an emphasis on fitness, discipline, and technical skills.
Meghalaya’s immediate focus will be the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, a one-day tournament in which the team has been placed in the Plate Group alongside fellow North East states Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Sikkim. The tournament begins on October 9 in Chandigarh, where the top two teams from the round-robin stage will qualify for the finals. To prepare for the challenges ahead, the MCA has scheduled a training camp in Jagiroad, Assam, from September 24 to October 5. All 15 selected players, five standby cricketers, and support staff will report to Polo Ground, Shillong, on September 23 before moving to the camp. The squad is set to depart for Chandigarh on October 6.
Officials said the camp will give players a chance to work on conditioning and fine-tuning match strategies. “The focus will be on building endurance, sharpening batting and bowling techniques, and improving fielding standards,” an MCA coach remarked.The Meghalaya U-19 squad features a mix of promising local talent and consistent performers: Apandanka R Marak, Angkit Tamang, Ashish Kumar Lohar, Benedict J Makdoh, Dipayan Nandi (WK), Gaurav Narleng (VC), Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria, Grish Raj Ray, Heiyoomiki Ryngkhlem (C, WK), Krishwal Marak, Mewankitbok Kharpuri, Namewanki Pakyntein, Rudra Singh Rathore, Rimtora D Shira, and Rohit Sharma.