Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) has made a milestone achievement for the state as five of its members have been included in the North-East Zone (NEZ) team for the upcoming BCCI Senior Women's Inter Zonal T20 Trophy 2025-26, The Tribune reported. The tournament is to be played in Dimapur, Nagaland, between November 4 and 14.
This is a moment of pride for Sikkim cricket, as the five players – Nandika Kumari, Pranita Chettri, Primula Chettri, Priyanka Kurmi, and Samayita Prodhan – are the selected players. Alongside, this represents the maximum number of selections from a state in the 15-member North-East Zone squad. For Nandika Kumari and Priyanka Kurmi, it would be their first zonal invitation, underscoring their emerging profiles in women's cricket, The Tribune reported.
Zonal selection process
The North-East Zone team was finalised by the Zonal Selection Committee in a meeting in Guwahati on 21st October. The committee went through performances from different BCCI Senior Women's tournaments held during the 2024-25 and current 2025-26 seasons before finalizing the selections.
Off the field, Sikkim has also left an indelible mark. Sheril Lepcha, SICA's physiotherapist, has been selected as the Physio for the North-East Zone team for a debut appearance at a zonal level.
The BCCI Senior Women's Inter Zonal T20 Trophy pits top-notch players from six zones: North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East. It is a stage for the region's best to display their talent on a larger platform, with outstanding performances tending to pave the way for national selection.
The Tribune reported that, SICA President Tika Subba, elated by the picks, congratulated all five players and Sheril Lepcha. He wished them and the North-East Zone team all the best for the tournament, pointing to the significance of the picks in enhancing Sikkim's representation in Indian women's cricket.
North-East Zone squad
According to ANI, The NEZ team consists of players from throughout the region: Nabam Abhi and Nabam Yapu (Arunachal Pradesh), Kiran Bala Haorungbam and Ranjita Koljam (Manipur), Lalrintell Pautu (Mizoram), Riticia Nongbet, Debasmita Dutta, and Solina Jaba (Meghalaya), Najmeen Khatun and Vipeni (Nagaland), and Sikkim's five stars.
