Cricket has been played in Mizoram since the 1970s, but its popularity has grown in small waves compared to more dominant sports like basketball and football. Despite this, the Cricket Association of Mizoram has long aspired to join the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), applying regularly.
For years, however, it was the last Northeast state to secure affiliation with the national body.
In 2023, Malsawma Rivung, an ardent cricketer and fan, shared insights with EastMojo about why cricket suits the Mizo physique.
He pointed out that some of the sport’s most successful players, like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Shane Warne, weren’t exceptionally tall—traits shared with the average Mizo. “The most successful spinners and batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Shane Warne etc. aren’t very tall. They are about the average Mizo,” Rivung explained. “So in terms of height and stature, we Mizos aren’t at a disadvantage in cricket, unlike other sports like basketball.” He also highlighted the financial rewards of cricket, especially in India, where playing at the state level can provide a comfortable livelihood. “In terms of financial benefits, we know the riches this game can give especially in India. Playing even at the state level is enough to earn you a good livelihood,” he added.
Even if players don’t reach the professional level, the sport brings invaluable life lessons, camaraderie, and lasting friendships.
Despite steady progress, the growth of cricket in Mizoram has been slow, primarily due to a lack of infrastructure. Without indoor facilities, players struggle to practice in the winter months. As a result, they are often sent to other states for training during the monsoon season.
Officials from the Cricket Association of Mizoram believe that having an indoor stadium would solve these issues and save money on out-of-state training. The dream is becoming a reality, with the foundation stone for an indoor cricket facility and pavilion being laid on May 19, 2024. The event was presided over virtually by BCCI President Roger Benny. This facility will include an indoor practice pitch, a swimming pool, lockers, and a gymnasium.
The pavilion will also feature a 37-bedded sports hostel with a gym, dining hall, media lounge, reception, and players’ dressing rooms. These new facilities are expected to be inaugurated by June 2025, bringing much-needed infrastructure to the state’s cricket scene.
However, while Mizoram’s cricket infrastructure is improving, the state’s broader lack of development in tourism and hospitality continues to hold back the growth of cricket. Five-star hotels are a rarity in the Northeast. States like Meghalaya, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh have a few, with Meghalaya even planning a third in 2024.
Talks of introducing five-star hotels in Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura have been ongoing, but there has been little progress. In 2022, Union Tourism, Culture, and DoNER Minister G. Kishan Reddy showed a willingness to pursue a proposal for a five-star hotel in Mizoram, following a recommendation from the state’s tourism minister at the time, Robert Romawia Royte. However, no concrete plans have materialized so far.
This lack of high-quality accommodations is a significant hurdle for Mizoram in hosting major cricket events. Joseph Lalhriatpuia, Assistant Secretary of the Cricket Association of Mizoram, explained that while the state has the necessary grounds to host prestigious tournaments like the Ranji Trophy or Vijay Hazare Trophy, they lack satisfactory accommodation options for players and officials.
“We have the necessary infrastructure to host the Ranji Trophy, Ali Trophy or the Vijay Hazare Trophy as we have the required ground,” said Lalhriatpuia. “However, when it comes to accommodation, that’s where we face an issue.” Furthermore, the road conditions from the hotel to the ground are inadequate, which could result in BCCI penalizing the state with demerit points.
“The only option we have is not satisfactory and to add to it, the road from the hotel to the ground is also another factor,” he explained. “The BCCI could give us demerit points on these factors, and it could affect our future possibility of hosting such trophies.” As a result, Mizoram’s home matches have been moved to other states, such as Ahmedabad or Kolkata, where infrastructure is more developed.
Hosting a BCCI match brings not only prestige but also financial benefits. Mizoram could earn around one lakh rupees for the use of its ground, and the local food and beverage industry would see a boost from catering services provided during the events. This highlights the economic potential that quality infrastructure could unlock.
The newly appointed Tourism Minister, Lalrinpuii, has taken an active interest in this issue. In November 2024, she revealed plans to convert the Tourist Lodge in Chaltlang into a five-star hotel, with offers already received from hotel chains to undertake the project. The finance department has approved the proposal, and it is now under review by the law department before a tender is issued by the Tourism Secretariat.
Also Read: A friendly pitch: How cricket found a home in Mizoram
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