Shillong — The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a shortlist of 27 young cricketers who will advance to the final selection trials for the state’s U-16 team, set to compete in the prestigious Vijay Merchant Trophy as part of the BCCI’s 2024-25 domestic season.
The trials will be held in Shillong from November 14 to 17, where players will vie for a place on the final 15-member roster. Selected players are required to report at 7:30 am on the opening day of trials.
Following the trials, the MCA will finalize and announce a squad of 15 players, along with a few standbys, who will then proceed to a two-week intensive training camp from November 18 to December 2 in Nongkhrah, Ri-Bhoi. This rigorous preparation is designed to equip the players for the competitive demands of the tournament.
Each of the 27 players made it through the stringent TW-3 age verification test, ensuring their eligibility for U-16 competition. Of these, 21 were freshly cleared this month, while six retained their qualification from previous assessments. The selected players include promising talents such as Mannan Surana, Krishiv Chaudhary, Raunak Srivastava, and Samelawan S Nongkseh, among others.
The full list of shortlisted players is as follows: Mannan Surana, Krishiv Chaudhary, Raunak Srivastava, Samelawan S Nongkseh, Manbhalang Marshillong, Chingring K Marak, Aryan Kumar Ray, Sameer Chaudhary, Eshan Siangshai, Benhaden N Marak, Doangkam Ch Marak, Abhijit Chanda, Jakrasil Chuseng R Marak, Abagtha Marak, Joseph Mathew, Chukam Matsram D Shira, Damechua Khongsngi, Hriday Chettri, Jamesbirth Ch Sangma, Trejosh Dey, Trijal Agarwal, Mewankitbok Kharpuri, Udit Pradhan, Gurjit Singh, Everbloom Nongrum, Aryan Tomar, and Aadit Pradhan.
The support team for this U-16 squad is led by head coach Sengam G Momin, assisted by coach Shankar Newar, with Karma Sangma as team physio and Santosh Ram as trainer. MCA officials emphasized the importance of this final selection phase, as the young cricketers aim to bring pride to Meghalaya in one of India’s top junior cricket tournaments.