Tripura Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad selection has brought experienced campaigners and promising domestic cricketers together as the state prepares for the 2026-27 edition of India’s premier domestic T20 tournament. The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) has named Manisankar Murasingh as captain for the opening four matches, with Abhijit Sarkar appointed vice-captain.
The team announcement was made on November 8, 2026, ahead of the tournament’s scheduled start on November 14. Tripura will compete in Elite Group C, with its opening fixtures scheduled across New Chandigarh and Mohali.
There is an important clarification regarding the squad size: although the initial announcement headline refers to an 18-member squad, the detailed player list published by the association and reported by IANS contains 21 players, along with eight standby cricketers. India Today NE+2
Manisankar Murasingh to Lead Tripura
Experienced seam-bowling all-rounder Manisankar Murasingh will lead the side during its opening four matches. His appointment gives Tripura an experienced campaigner at the helm, particularly as the team looks to build consistency in the shortest format.
Pacer Abhijit Sarkar has been named vice-captain. He will also play an important role in strengthening the team’s pace attack during the competition.
The selection reflects an effort to maintain a balance between experienced domestic players and emerging talent. The inclusion of senior batter Mandeep Singh is another significant development, as he returns to represent Tripura as a guest player this season.
The selectors have also included Lakshay Thareja, who has previously represented Delhi in domestic cricket.
Tripura Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Squad: Full Details
The announced 21-member squad features players across batting, all-rounder, wicketkeeping and bowling departments.
The batting group includes Bikram Kumar Das, Sridam Paul, Subham Sutradhar, Arindam Barman, Mandeep Singh, Anandh Bhowmik, Tanmoy Das, Saptajit Das and Lakshay Thareja.
The all-rounders are captain Manisankar Murasingh, Bikram Debnath and Saurabh Das. Their presence provides the team with additional options in both batting and bowling.
The pace attack comprises Abhijit Sarkar, Saruk Hossain and Danveer Singh. Meanwhile, the spin department features Viki Saha, Sandip Sarkar, Parvez Sultan and Chiranjit Paul.
Sentu Sarkar and Arka Prabha Sinha have been selected as the two wicketkeepers.
The association has also announced eight standby players: Md. Al-Bahaar, Samrat Sutradhar, Hrituraj Ghosh Roy, Tanmoy Ghosh, Ajay Sarkar, Indrajit Debnath, Durlab Roy and Amaresh Das. IANS News+1
Tripura’s Opening Four Matches
Tripura will begin its campaign against Andhra on November 14 at New Chandigarh. The team will then travel to Mohali to face Puducherry on November 16.
The third fixture will see Tripura return to New Chandigarh for a day-night encounter against Madhya Pradesh on November 18. The team will complete its opening set of four matches against Kerala in Mohali on November 20.
These matches will provide an important opportunity for the players to establish themselves and build momentum in the group stage.
Tripura’s remaining three league fixtures will be played against Himachal Pradesh on November 22, Maharashtra on November 24 and Assam on November 26. The matches will take place in Mohali and New Chandigarh.
All seven league fixtures will be played in these two venues as part of Elite Group C. IANS News+1
Recent Victory Boosts Tripura’s Confidence
Tripura will enter the competition with confidence following an impressive 133-run victory over former Ranji Trophy champions Saurashtra in their final match of the first phase.
The victory was particularly encouraging for the bowling department, with Sandip Sarkar and Abhijit Sarkar sharing seven wickets between them.
Abhijit’s contribution further underlines why the selectors have entrusted him with the vice-captaincy. His ability to contribute with the ball could prove valuable during the upcoming T20 fixtures.
The result against Saurashtra also offers encouragement to the batting unit. Tripura will now look to carry that positive momentum into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and deliver consistent performances against their Elite Group C opponents. IANS News+1
Mandeep Singh’s Inclusion Adds Experience
The inclusion of Mandeep Singh is among the notable features of Tripura’s selection. The experienced batter returns to the side as a guest player for the current season.
His domestic cricket experience could strengthen the batting department, particularly in situations requiring composure and match awareness.
The selectors have also included Lakshay Thareja, whose previous experience with Delhi adds another dimension to the batting group.
With several players competing for opportunities, the opening matches will be important for determining how effectively the team combines its experienced members with emerging performers.
Tripura Aim for a Strong T20 Campaign
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy remains an important platform for domestic cricketers to demonstrate their abilities in the shortest format. Strong performances can help players attract attention from national selectors and professional franchise teams.
For Tripura, the immediate priority will be to perform consistently throughout the league stage. The team’s combination of pace bowlers, spinners and all-rounders provides several options for different match situations.
The support staff appointed by the Tripura Cricket Association will also accompany the team during the tournament. The association has instructed selected players and support personnel to report according to their respective flight schedules. India Today NE+1
With Manisankar Murasingh leading the side and Abhijit Sarkar serving as his deputy, Tripura will hope to make a positive start against Andhra on November 14. The team’s recent victory over Saurashtra has provided encouragement, but maintaining that level of performance across seven league matches will be the bigger challenge. The upcoming tournament will offer an important opportunity for Tripura’s cricketers to showcase their talent and strengthen the state’s position in Indian domestic T20 cricket.
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