Ahead of the BCCI Annual General Meeting at the end of September, the top posts like the board president and IPL chairman will be there for the taking among the top candidates for the job.
Moreover, there are various names that stand in line for these roles, along with other posts like BCCI vice-president. Current IPL chairman Arun Dhumal is set to complete a six-year term in the BCCI in two positions in October 2025. Therefore, he may need to serve a three-year cooling-off period before he can hold any other position.
For now, Devajit Saikia, who has completed three years cumulatively as joint secretary (2 years and three months) and secretary (nine months), will continue in his position. So would joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai and Prabhtej Bhatia, who are into their first year as office bearers.
However, the biggest boots to fill before the implementation of the National Sports Governance Law are still those of Roger Binny.
Roger Binny cannot be re-elected as per the current constitution after completing his 70th birthday in July.
Apparently, the apex body needs someone of big stature in the Indian cricket world to preside over the apex body.
For the IPL chairman’s post, the names of former Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Naik and current BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla’s names are doing the rounds. However, there is no confirmation around the finalisation of candidates for the role.
In case Congressman Shukla once again becomes IPL chairman, Bihar Cricket Association president and BJP leader from the state, Rakesh Tiwary could become a contender for BCCI vice-presidency.
The case of Shukla is also an interesting one. His stint as vice-president started in 2020, and he still has one year left as per the Lodha Constitution. But there is a catch. If the National Sports Governance Act comes into effect before the next AGM in 2026, the Rajya Sabha MP wouldn’t need to go for a mandatory cooling-off.
