Goa Cricket Association secretary Rohan Desai is poised to become the new joint secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with his nomination expected to be filed by 4 PM on Saturday. The window for nominations is open on Friday and Saturday between 11 AM and 4 PM.
The post became vacant after Devajit Saikia was elevated to secretary following Jay Shah’s appointment as ICC Chair on January 12 in Mumbai. With Desai emerging as the sole candidate for the position, he is set to take over the role. A reliable source confirmed to TOI, “Yes, Desai’s name has been finalised for the joint secretary’s post.”
The BCCI had already scheduled a Special General Meeting (SGM) for March 1 in Mumbai to elect a new joint secretary. A notice was sent to state associations on February 6, outlining the single-item agenda—the election at 12 noon at the BCCI headquarters. As per the BCCI constitution, the vacancy needed to be filled within 45 days.
Desai’s selection comes as a slight surprise, as a candidate from the West Zone was initially expected to secure the role. However, the decision reflects a broader trend in the BCCI of giving leadership opportunities to officials from smaller state associations. Devajit Saikia represents Assam, while treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia hails from Chhattisgarh.
In November last year, Desai was appointed as team manager for India’s four-match T20I series in South Africa. He is also believed to have close ties with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Currently, the BCCI leadership includes 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny (Karnataka) as president and Rajeev Shukla (Uttar Pradesh) as vice-president. With Desai’s impending appointment, the board continues its evolving leadership structure.
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