Leadership change on the horizon
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will elect a new president at its 94th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on September 28, a key moment for the world’s most powerful cricket board. The change comes after Roger Binny, who took over in October 2022, stepped down earlier this month upon turning 70, in line with the age cap mandated by the BCCI constitution.
According to multiple reports, a notification was sent to BCCI’s 38 state units confirming the AGM date, with the election of office-bearers and appointments for several key positions on the agenda.
President’s post in focus
While elections will technically be held for all top positions — including secretary, treasurer, joint secretary and vice-president — most incumbents are expected to continue. The president’s post is the one major role up for grabs.
Over the past two terms, the BCCI has installed ex-cricketers as presidents, starting with Sourav Ganguly in 2019 and followed by 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny. Whether that trend continues will be closely watched.
For now, Rajeev Shukla, the board’s vice-president, is serving as acting president and is considered one of the leading names in contention. His eligibility may also be influenced by forthcoming reforms under the National Sports Governance Bill, which is expected to relax tenure guidelines.
Continuity expected in other roles
Other office-bearers are largely set for continuity.
- Devajit Saikia, unanimously elected as secretary in January after Jay Shah took over as ICC chair, is eligible to serve a full three-year term.
- Prabhtej Bhatia (treasurer) and Rohan Gauns Desai (joint secretary), both elected earlier this year, are also expected to continue.
The AGM will additionally cover induction of representatives from the general body and the Indian Cricketers’ Association into the apex council, as well as appointments of the ombudsman, ethics officer, and the board’s representative to the ICC.
IPL chairman role also in question
The meeting will also address the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman’s position. Current IPL chairman Arun Dhumal may have to step aside due to the mandatory cooling-off rule, although there remains some debate on whether the IPL post is counted in the same way as other BCCI office-bearer roles.
If vacated, the chairmanship could spark a reshuffle within the governing council.
A crucial AGM for Indian cricket governance
This AGM is set to determine not just the BCCI’s next president but also its broader governance direction. With high-profile figures in the mix, looming reforms in sports governance, and the all-important IPL chairman’s role on the table, September 28 will mark another turning point in the evolution of Indian cricket’s leadership.
