The Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 is set to bring exciting Under-16 multi-day cricket action starting November 14, 2026.
Organised by the BCCI, the Plate group features six northeastern cricketing associations battling for supremacy in a round-robin format.
All eyes will be on Dehradun as young talent from Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh compete for the Plate title and a shot at Elite group promotion.
What Is the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate?
The Vijay Merchant Trophy is India’s premier national Under-16 multi-day cricket championship conducted by the BCCI.
The Plate group comprises six northeastern and developing associations, with the top two teams earning a place in the Plate Final, and the winner securing promotion to the Elite group the following season.
Key Tournament Details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 |
| Age Group | Under-16 (Men) |
| Format | Multi-day (3-day matches) |
| Match Start Time | 9:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Dehradun |
| Total Matches | 15 league + 1 Final |
| Teams | 6 |
Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 Schedule & Fixtures
All 15 league matches are played in Dehradun in a round-robin format, with each team facing every other team once. The top two finishers advance to the Plate Final on December 12–15, 2026.
Round 1 — November 14–16, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Manipur | Arunachal Pradesh | Dehradun |
| Match 2 | Nagaland | Meghalaya | Dehradun |
| Match 3 | Sikkim | Mizoram | Dehradun |
Round 2 — November 19–21, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 4 | Meghalaya | Sikkim | Dehradun |
| Match 5 | Nagaland | Arunachal Pradesh | Dehradun |
| Match 6 | Manipur | Mizoram | Dehradun |
Round 3 — November 25–27, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 7 | Meghalaya | Manipur | Dehradun |
| Match 8 | Arunachal Pradesh | Mizoram | Dehradun |
| Match 9 | Nagaland | Sikkim | Dehradun |
Round 4 — November 30 – December 2, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 10 | Sikkim | Arunachal Pradesh | Dehradun |
| Match 11 | Meghalaya | Mizoram | Dehradun |
| Match 12 | Nagaland | Manipur | Dehradun |
Round 5 — December 6–8, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 13 | Nagaland | Mizoram | Dehradun |
| Match 14 | Sikkim | Manipur | Dehradun |
| Match 15 | Meghalaya | Arunachal Pradesh | Dehradun |
Plate Final — December 12–15, 2026
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final | TBD | TBD | Dehradun |
Venue: Dehradun
All matches are centrally hosted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The city’s cricket infrastructure has made it a reliable BCCI domestic venue, capable of hosting multiple simultaneous matches across age-group tournaments.
Participating Teams
Six BCCI-affiliated northeastern associations compete in the 2026-27 Plate group, each working to develop the next generation of domestic talent.
- Manipur
- Nagaland
- Meghalaya
- Sikkim
- Mizoram
- Arunachal Pradesh
Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 Squads & Players List
Official squads are yet to be announced by the BCCI. Each team will field a 16-player U-16 squad selected by their respective state associations. Check BCCI.tv for confirmed player lists closer to the tournament start date.
Tournament Format
The Plate group follows a round-robin format where all six teams meet each other once across five rounds. Points accumulate through wins, draws, and first-innings leads under multi-day rules, with the top two sides qualifying for the Plate Final.
Also Read:
Final Word: Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 Is Ready to Unearth Northeast India’s Best U-16 Talent
The Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate 2026-27 offers a vital stage for six northeastern associations to showcase their Under-16 talent at the national level.
With 15 league matches in Dehradun followed by the Plate Final on December 12, this tournament is a crucial stepping stone toward Elite group cricket. Follow live scores and updates on the official BCCI.tv website throughout the tournament.
