Guwahati groundsmen and curators to be rewarded INR 25 lakh

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has announced a reward of INR 25 lakh for the curators and groundsmen of the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. This recognition is for their work in ensuring all three IPL 2026 matches hosted at the stadium proceeded despite frequent rain interruptions.

All three Rajasthan Royals home games at the venue—against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru—were affected by rain. This included a rain-shortened 11-over-a-side match against Mumbai Indians.

In a statement, the ACA said, "Working under challenging weather conditions, the curator and groundsmen ensured that the pitches were prepared and maintained to the highest standards. Their efforts were central to the smooth conduct of the matches and helped uphold the venue's growing reputation on the national stage."

ACA to host Under-15 girls tournament for North-East teams

The ACA has also announced the North East Rising Cup 2026 (U-15 Girls), a premier regional tournament aimed at nurturing young cricketing talent across Northeast India. The tournament will be held in Guwahati from April 19 to April 27, 2026.

Tournament Format:

• Teams: Eight teams divided into two groups.
  • Group A: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland
  • Group B: Tripura, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram
• Format: 35-over-a-side matches, with a league stage followed by semi-finals and a final.
• Venues: ACA Ground, Fulung, North Guwahati and Judges Field, Guwahati.

Key Fixtures:

• Opening Day (April 19): Assam vs. Manipur; Nagaland vs. Arunachal Pradesh.
• Final: Scheduled for April 27, 2026, at Judges Field, Guwahati.