Meghalaya Exits Little Masters Trophy 2025 After Rain-Interrupted Semifinal

Meghalaya had to withdraw from the 1st Little Masters Trophy 2025 due to adverse weather conditions, as their semifinal match against Tripura was canceled. The same situation affected the other semifinal between Assam and Manipur, which also could not take place. Both matches were initially scheduled for April 28 but were postponed to the reserve day on April 29. However, despite hopes for a weather improvement, no play was possible on either day, causing a disruption in the competition.

In light of this, the organizing committee of the U-14 boys’ tournament, being held under the auspices of the Assam Cricket Association in Guwahati, took the decision to advance the top two teams—Assam and Tripura—directly to the final. This was based on the teams topping their respective groups after the round-robin phase. Assam, as the Group A topper, and Tripura, as the Group B topper, were automatically selected to proceed to the final.

The committee also made provisions in case the weather continued to prevent any play on April 30, the scheduled date for the final. In this scenario, Assam and Tripura would be declared joint winners of the inaugural Little Masters Trophy 2025, ensuring that the tournament would still conclude with recognition for the two most successful teams.

Meghalaya had performed admirably in the round-robin stage, winning two of their three Group A matches. Their first win came against Mizoram, where they triumphed by 47 runs, a solid performance that set them on the path to qualification. Their second win was against Arunachal Pradesh, a comfortable seven-wicket victory. However, they experienced a setback in their third match, facing a loss to Assam by nine wickets. This defeat, unfortunately, meant that they were unable to advance to the semifinals, with weather playing a crucial role in their eventual exit.

The decision to allow Assam and Tripura to progress to the final was a fair one, given that the weather had interfered with the completion of the semifinal matches. The tournament, which aimed to promote youth cricket at the grassroots level, had been largely successful up to that point, with teams from various states competing fiercely. The cancellation of the semifinals due to weather was unfortunate, but it highlighted the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports and the challenges organizers face in such situations.

Despite Meghalaya's early exit, the tournament continues to stand as a testament to the growing interest in youth cricket in the region. The Assam Cricket Association's efforts to host such an event demonstrate the increasing focus on nurturing young talent and providing platforms for emerging cricketers to showcase their skills. The committee's decision to declare Assam and Tripura as finalists, despite the lack of semifinal matches, ensures that the tournament reaches a conclusion, albeit under unusual circumstances. The eventual champions will hold a special place in the history of the tournament, marking the success of the inaugural Little Masters Trophy.