Experienced batter Mandeep Singh will return to domestic cricket with Tripura in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, featuring in the squad for the team’s opening three matches against Hyderabad, Assam and Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
- Mandeep Singh returns to Tripura after missing the entire 2025/26 domestic season.
- Tripura have named Mani Sankar Mura Singh captain and Abhijit Sarkar vice-captain.
- Former domestic batter and umpire Satrajit Lahiri will serve as head coach.
Tripura have brought back Mandeep Singh for the opening phase of the 2026/27 Ranji Trophy season and appointed former domestic cricketer and umpire Satrajit Lahiri as their new head coach.
The state side has included Mandeep in its 18-member squad for the first three matches. Tripura will face Hyderabad in Secunderabad, Assam in Guwahati and Karnataka in Mysuru.
The move marks Mandeep’s return to competitive domestic cricket after he missed the entire 2025/26 calendar.
Mandeep returns after one-season absence
The experienced right-hander has represented India in three T20Is. He previously captained Tripura during the 2024/25 season after ending his 15-year association with Punjab.
Mandeep had led Punjab to a historic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title before joining Tripura. His earlier stint with the northeastern side saw him contribute significantly across all three domestic formats.
He played six Ranji Trophy matches, six Vijay Hazare Trophy games and seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches for Tripura.
In the Ranji Trophy, Mandeep scored an unbeaten 124 and added five half-centuries. His Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign included three fifties, with a highest score of 94 against Bengal.
He also struck two half-centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Vihari, Swapnil add experience
Mandeep will share the Tripura dressing room with fellow outstation recruits Hanuma Vihari and Swapnil Singh.
Experienced seam-bowling all-rounder Mani Sankar Mura Singh will lead the side. Fast bowler Abhijit Sarkar has been named vice-captain.
Sarkar also featured in the East Zone team that won the Duleep Trophy earlier this year.
The combination gives Tripura a blend of established domestic experience and local talent as the team prepares for the new Ranji Trophy campaign.
Lahiri takes charge as head coach
Tripura have also revamped their support staff ahead of the season.
Former domestic batter and umpire Satrajit Lahiri will take charge as head coach. Lahiri was part of the East Zone team that won the Deodhar Trophy in the 1996/97 season.
He holds Level C coaching certification from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He also possesses Level 3 coaching credentials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Lahiri will oversee a support team covering batting, bowling, fitness, medical support and match analysis.
Aniruddha Saha will work as batting coach, while Rajib Saha will handle the bowling department. Deepti Ranjan Parida has been named physiotherapist.
Yuvraj Salvi will serve as strength and conditioning coach. Jayanta Debnath will work as the throwdown specialist.
Masseur Niloyjyoti Saha and video analyst Partha Banik complete the support staff.
Tripura squad for first three Ranji matches
Tripura’s 18-member squad features a mix of established players, emerging cricketers and experienced outstation recruits.
The squad comprises Bikram Kumar Das, Hrituraj Ghosh Roy, Subham Sutradhar, Sridam Paul, Arindam Barman, Rajat Dey, Hanuma Vihari, Mandeep Singh, Mani Sankar Mura Singh, Bikram Debnath, Swapnil Singh, Abhijit Sarkar, Ajay Sarkar, Sentu Sarkar, Arkaprabha Sinha, Sandip Sarkar, Parvez Sultan and Amit Ali.
Sentu Sarkar and Arkaprabha Sinha are the two wicketkeeping options.
With Mura Singh leading the side, Sarkar as deputy, Mandeep returning and Lahiri taking over as coach, Tripura enter the new Ranji Trophy season with a revamped leadership and coaching structure. (With IANS inputs)
