The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set for a major reshuffle at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28 at its Mumbai headquarters at 11:30 AM. The upcoming AGM is expected to make changes at top posts and in its constitutional rules. One of the most-awaited contests will be for the posts of IPL chairman and BCCI president, with the incumbent Roger Binny ineligible for re-election.
The meet comes soon after fantasy sports platform Dream11 parted ways with the Indian cricket team as its lead sponsor, following the passage of Online Gaming Bill in the Parliament.
Interestingly, the AGM falls on the day when Asia Cup final will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Who will be the BCCI president?
Binny, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, turned 70 in July, which, according to the current BCCI constitution, disqualifies him from holding the position. This has created a vacancy at the very top of Indian cricket administration.
A BCCI official told PTI, “There is a feeling among important stakeholders that a cricketer of distinction should always be elected as president. Sourav Ganguly was a decorated Indian skipper, and Roger Binny was 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.”
Addressing the issue, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, “Very soon, there will be a notice coming out regarding the next course of action. And also, the AGM is due before September 30. BCCI is going to follow its constitution, which is in place.”
“According to the constitution, we have to conduct our AGM before the end of September every year. So this year also, there will be no deviation. We’ll have our AGM before September 30. And the notice regarding the exact date, time, and venue will be issued in a day or two,” he told ANI.
The search for a new president has led to discussions about a prominent former player taking on the role, continuing the trend set by Ganguly and Binny. The other major position to be filled is that of the IPL chairman.
BCCI’s search for IPL Chairman
The board will also be looking for new IPL chairman as current chairman Arun Dhumal is likely to face a mandatory three-year cooling-off period, having completed a cumulative six years in office. This has opened the door for new contenders. Two names are currently making the rounds for the IPL chairman’s post: former Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Naik and current BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
Rajeev Shukla’s current stint as vice-president began in 2020, and he still has one year left on his term as per the Lodha Constitution. However, his future is also tied to the potential implementation of the National Sports Governance Act. If the act comes into effect before the next AGM in 2026, the Rajya Sabha MP may not be required to go for a cooling-off period. If Shukla becomes the new IPL chairman, Bihar Cricket Association president and BJP leader Rakesh Tiwary could become a contender for the BCCI vice-presidency.
Other key office bearers, including joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai and Prabhtej Bhatia, who are in their first year, are expected to continue in their positions. Devajit Saikia, who has completed three years cumulatively as joint secretary and secretary, will also retain his position. The BCCI is not expected to wait for the National Sports Governance Act, which may still be some time away from coming into force, to hold its elections.