BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is widely expected to be elected as the next ICC Chairman, leaving his current position at the Indian cricket board vacant.
With Shah set to take over the ICC’s top job, speculation is rife about who will succeed him as the BCCI Secretary. Here are some potential candidates who could fill the void:
Rajiv Shukla
Current BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, is one of the frontrunners to replace Shah.
The BCCI could reshuffle positions and appoint Shukla as Secretary for a year, as BCCI Vice Presidents are more like rubber stamps. Shukla has the experience and political clout to take on the demanding role.
Ashish Shelar
Maharashtra BJP heavyweight Ashish Shelar, who currently serves as BCCI Treasurer and is a prominent figure in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) administration, is another strong contender.
However, being an influential politician, Shelar may find the Secretary’s job too time-consuming. But his stature and experience make him a viable option.
Arun Dhumal
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has the necessary experience to lead the BCCI. He has previously held the Treasurer’s position and now heads the cash-rich IPL. A swap between Shukla and Dhumal could be the easiest solution, but BCCI often throws up unexpected names.
Devajit ‘Lon’ Saikia
Current BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit ‘Lon’ Saikia, though not the most popular name, is a vital cog in the current BCCI administration and could be elevated to the Secretary’s role.
Younger Administrators
Among the younger administrators, names like DDCA President Rohan Jaitley or former CAB President Avishek Dalmiya could also be considered.
Other young state unit officials such as Punjab’s Dilsher Khanna, Goa’s Vipul Phadke, and Chhattisgarh’s Prabhtej Bhatia, a former IPL Governing Council member, may also be in the mix.
While a completely new face taking over the top job is a possibility, it rarely happens in BCCI’s power structure, where the President, Secretary, and Treasurer are the three key posts. Typically, someone who has been in the system is preferred over an outsider.
If Jay Shah does not take up the ICC role immediately, he can still move to the global body anytime in the future.
But if he is elected as ICC Chairman, he will have to resign as BCCI Secretary with immediate effect, as per ICC rules.
However, he can continue as BCCI Secretary until his ICC tenure begins in November, subject to his election as ICC Chairman.
The coming weeks will provide more clarity on who will succeed Jay Shah as the next BCCI Secretary. The board will have to make a crucial decision that will shape its future leadership and direction.
