The BCCI Annual General Meeting at the end of September will be an interesting affair with a few top posts, including that of president and IPL chairman, up for grabs. The current IPL chairman, Arun Dhumal, in all likelihood, is set to go for a mandatory cooling-off for three years, having completed a cumulative period of six years in office, with a host of names doing the rounds as his potential successor.
For now, Devajit Saikia, who has completed three years cumulatively as joint secretary (2 years and three months) and secretary (nine months), will continue in his position. So would joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai and Prabhtej Bhatia, who are in their first year as office bearers.
For the IPL chairman’s post, the names of former Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Naik and names of current BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla are doing the rounds, although nothing has been finalised yet.
In case Congressman Shukla once again becomes IPL chairman, Bihar Cricket Association president and BJP leader from the state, Rakesh Tiwary could become a contender for BCCI vice-presidency.
AGM set to be held at September end
The AGM is expected to be held in the last week of September. Only a couple of vacancies are expected since this year’s election will be held as per the association’s own rules. The coming into force of the National Sports Governance Act may still be some time away, and the BCCI wouldn’t be waiting that long.
Roger Binny, after completing his 70th birthday in July, cannot be re-elected as per the current constitution.
The most interesting choice will be that of the BCCI president as decision makers want an Indian player of stature to replace Binny.
“There is a feeling among important stakeholders that a cricketer of distinction should always be elected as president. Sourav Ganguly was a decorated India skipper and Roger Binny India’s first World Cup winning hero. However, how many such cricketers of repute would be interested in taking up an honorary top job is a big question,” a veteran BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The case of Shukla is also an interesting one. His stint as vice-president started in 2020, and he still has one year left as per the Lodha Constitution. But there is a catch. If the National Sports Governance Act comes into effect before the next AGM in 2026, the Rajya Sabha MP wouldn’t need to go for a mandatory cooling-off off.