The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) announced a cash reward of INR 25 lakh for the curators and grounds staff at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, crediting them for successfully preparing and maintaining playing surfaces during persistent rain that affected all three IPL 2026 matches staged at the venue. The announcement came on Sunday.
Each of the Rajasthan Royals home fixtures at the stadium—against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru—was disrupted by wet weather. One of those games was reduced to an 11-over-a-side contest against Mumbai Indians.
In its statement, the ACA said the team responsible for wicket preparation and ground upkeep operated under difficult conditions to ensure the pitches met the required standards. The association added that their work played a key role in keeping the matches on track and supporting the stadium’s steadily improving standing on the national circuit.
ACA also confirms Under-15 girls tournament in 2026
Alongside the IPL venue update, the ACA revealed plans for the North East Rising Cup 2026 (U-15 Girls), a regional event designed to develop young cricket talent across Northeast India. The competition will be held in Guwahati from April 19 to April 27, 2026.
- The tournament will be conducted under the aegis of the ACA.
- Eight teams will participate, split into two groups.
- Group A will include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.
- Group B will include Tripura, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
- All matches will be played in a 35-over-a-side format.
- The schedule will run from league-stage matches to semi-finals and then a final.
- Games will be staged at two venues: ACA Ground, Fulung, North Guwahati, and Judges Field, Guwahati.
- On the opening day, April 19, Assam will take on Manipur, while Nagaland will play Arunachal Pradesh.
- The final is set for April 27, 2026, at Judges Field, Guwahati.
