Tripura’s All-Rounder Manishankar Murasing Falls Victim To The Quota System In Duleep Trophy Selection

In a development that has stirred controversy across Tripura and the broader northeastern cricketing community, the state’s top-performing all-rounder, Manishankar Murasing, has been excluded from the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy—allegedly due to the long-standing quota system in team selection.

Despite his consistent form and strong credentials, Manishankar was not named even among the reserves, raising concerns about the fairness of the selection process. Meanwhile, fellow Tripura player Shridam Pal earned a well-deserved place in the 15-member squad, which was finalized on Friday.

What has sparked widespread disappointment is the inclusion of several players with comparatively modest records, while a proven performer like Manishankar was overlooked. Sources indicate that the unwritten practice of allowing only one player from Tripura in the East Zone team continues to influence decisions, sidelining merit in favor of outdated regional quotas.

This exclusion has cast doubt over Manishankar’s cricketing future and triggered calls for a revamp of the selection policy to ensure fairness and meritocracy. While many have congratulated Shridam on his selection, a common sentiment remains: “We would be even happier if Manishankar was included too.” The cricketing world now looks to the authorities for answers and reform.