Shillong, Aug 2: Meghalaya’s Akash Choudhury, Kishan Lyngdoh and Arpit Bhatewara have been named in the North East Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2026-27, continuing the state’s growing representation in one of India’s premier domestic cricket tournaments.
Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) trainer Bikash Singh Chauhan has also been appointed as the trainer for the North East Zone team.
The 15-member squad, along with five standby players, was finalised by the North East Zonal Selection Committee during its meeting on Wednesday. The tournament will be held in Bengaluru from August 23 to September 10.
The selection was based on performances during the 2025-26 domestic season. Kishan Lyngdoh and Arpit Bhatewara were among Meghalaya’s leading run-scorers in BCCI competitions last season. Kishan notched up his maiden T20 century in national domestic cricket, while Arpit produced a memorable double century in the Ranji Trophy.
Akash Choudhury, known primarily for his pace bowling, also made headlines with the bat by smashing eight consecutive sixes and recording the fastest half-century in Ranji Trophy history during the 2025-26 season.
In 2025, Akash, Arpit and Aryan Borah represented the state in the Duleep Trophy, with Akash also serving as the team’s vice-captain. Bikash Singh Chauhan, the team’s trainer, has retained for this year’s campaign as well.
The state had also fielded three players in the 2023 edition of the tournament, with Kishan Lyngdoh, Akash Choudhury and all-rounder Dippu Sangma earning selection to the North East Zone squad.
The Duleep Trophy, first played in the 1961-62 season, is one of the BCCI’s most prestigious domestic tournaments. The North East Zone was introduced in the 2019-20 season and comprises players from Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
