Due to the ongoing issue with the barred Rajasthan Cricket Association, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to postpone the Central Zone fixtures of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. All other affiliate associations have been informed about the move.

The annual under-19 tournament will kick off as planned on October 5 in the remaining four zones. A decision on Central Zone’s fixtures will be taken by the board once the RCA verdict is delivered by the court. A PIL has been filed in Rajasthan by its state cricketers and matter will be looked into on October 1.

“We don’t know what will happen in the court. The tournament is scheduled to start in few days and if the court gives a ruling in favour of RCA then their team will have to be included. So that is why we have postponed only Central Zone games in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy,” a top BCCI official said.

Uncertainty

The BCCI had omitted RCA from participating in all their annual fixtures after the state association was suspended in May after electing former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who was banned by the BCCI, as their president. This caused widespread uncertainty over the immediate future of Rajasthan’s cricketers.

While Rajasthan may be the cause, the postponement has affected other Central Zone teams, such as Uttar Pradesh as well.

UP’s under-19 coach Mushi Raja said that while there is still doubt over when their campaign begins, the teams will be informed sooner rather than later.

“By Wednesday we will know just when our campaign is to begin and who we will be playing. As of now, we are yet to get dates for our games in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy,” Raja said.