UTCA leadership sees generational shift
Chandigarh’s cricket administration entered a new chapter as 36-year-old Saraansh Tandon was unanimously elected president of the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA) for the 2025–28 term, succeeding his father Sanjay Tandon. The transition, confirmed during the UTCA’s 45th annual general meeting, marks the third consecutive term of unanimous appointments since the association’s BCCI affiliation in 2019.
According to Tribune India, Saraansh officially took over the reins on Sunday, becoming the youngest president in the association’s history. Alongside him, several others were elected unopposed, including Hari Singh Khurana as general secretary, Alok Krishan as treasurer, Rahul Talwar as joint secretary, and Sanjay Daniel Banerjee as vice-president. The newly formed leadership signals continuity within UTCA’s inner circle, as many of the office-bearers are long-time associates of the Tandon family.
When asked about the optics of succeeding his father, Saraansh responded directly.
“People will have opinions. However, my focus is to do better for Chandigarh cricketers,” he said to reporters after being named UTCA president.
Vision driven by technology and player development
With a professional background in computer engineering and entrepreneurship, Saraansh outlined his intention to modernize cricket administration using data and artificial intelligence.
“I have a technical background. In the times of artificial intelligence (AI), we will be using the technology for the benefit of players. The fact is that AI can be very useful for tracking the players’ development,” he added during remarks after his appointment.
He also noted that the UTCA had received an in-principle approval for a Rs 20-crore grant from the BCCI, earmarked for constructing an indoor cricket stadium in Chandigarh—an important step given the association’s current reliance on shared infrastructure.
Sanjay Tandon reflects on legacy and future plans
In his outgoing address, Sanjay Tandon, who now serves on the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Governing Council, recapped key milestones during his leadership, including the launch of UTCA’s franchise-based league and initiatives like ‘Gully Cricket.’ His term oversaw increased player participation, with registrations growing from 1,400 in 2023–24 to 2,820 in 2024–25 before settling at 2,419 for the 2025–26 season.
Other notable appointments from the AGM included Vinay Grover as Apex Council member, with Pawan Kumar Mutneja and Ravinder Singh joining the Governor Council. Additionally, Prof (Dr) Neeru Malik, former Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma, and Abhimanyu G have been tasked with overseeing the UTCA’s WPL-related responsibilities.
The Cricket Advisory Committee will once again be chaired by former Ranji player Rakesh Jolly, while Justice Raj Mohan Singh has been appointed ombudsman. Mehan Associates will continue as auditors.
As the next generation takes charge, the UTCA’s leadership transition blends continuity with innovation—aiming to carry forward the momentum while embracing new-age approaches to cricket governance.
