The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is once again in the middle of a key leadership change.
With the annual general meeting approaching, the biggest talking point is who will take up the role of president.
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The position has been lying vacant since Roger Binny stepped down after turning 70, which is the age limit set for cricket administrators.
At present, vice-president Rajeev Shukla has been handling duties in Binny’s absence, and reports suggest that he may soon be officially handed the top job.
Why is the BCCI president’s post vacant right now?
Roger Binny, a World Cup winner from 1983, completed 70 years in July this year. According to BCCI rules, that is the maximum age for anyone to hold an office in the board or state associations.
With Binny stepping aside, the role of president has remained open. During this time, Rajeev Shukla, as the senior-most office bearer, has been managing the responsibilities. He even chaired the last apex council meeting in Binny’s absence.
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What makes Rajeev Shukla a strong candidate for the top role?
Shukla has been part of Indian cricket administration for decades. He was once the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has served in different positions inside the BCCI.
In 2020, he became the board’s vice-president without any contest. His long involvement and experience in cricket governance are seen as his biggest advantages.
According to reports, many in the BCCI believe he has a very strong chance of being elected as the next president in the elections later this month.
Who else is in the race for other BCCI posts?
While the focus is on the president’s seat, there are other positions also being discussed. Arun Dhumal, the current IPL chairman, could be considered for the secretary role.
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Former treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry’s name has also been linked to the same post, though some suggest he could instead be in line to return as IPL chairman.
At the same time, Devajit Saikia, who became BCCI secretary in January this year, is also being backed to continue. Insiders feel he has done well in the role so far, guiding the board during a busy period.
Apart from the top jobs, other names are expected to stay in their current positions. Rohan Desai from Goa is likely to continue as joint secretary, while Prabhtej Singh Bhatia from Chhattisgarh is expected to remain as treasurer.
This means the main shift in power could be seen at the very top, with the president’s election being the biggest decision.