Rohan Jaitley, the son of late BJP leader Arun Jaitley, is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if the latter is elected as the new International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman.
Multiple media reports suggest that Jay Shah, the current BCCI Secretary, is the leading candidate to succeed Greg Barclay as the ICC chief.
England and Australia are expected to support Shah’s candidacy, with the 36-year-old set to become the youngest-ever ICC Chairman if elected.
Rohan Jaitley’s Credentials
Rohan Jaitley, who currently serves as the President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), is well-positioned to take over the BCCI Secretary’s role due to his experience in cricket administration and strong family ties to the sport.
A lawyer by profession, Rohan began his stint in cricket administration four years ago when he was elected as the DDCA President, a position his late father Arun Jaitley held for 14 years.
Under Rohan’s leadership, Delhi hosted ICC ODI World Cup matches when the tournament returned to the subcontinent in 2023, and he was recently re-elected as the DDCA chief unopposed.
Potential Competitors
While Rohan Jaitley is considered the frontrunner for the BCCI Secretary’s post, he may face competition from other prominent figures in the Indian cricket administration.
These include Congress Rajya Sabha MP and current BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, Maharashtra BJP heavyweight and BCCI Treasurer Ashish Shelar, and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal.
Other potential candidates mentioned in reports are former Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Avishek Dalmiya and young state unit officials such as Punjab’s Dilsher Khanna, Goa’s Vipul Phadke, and Chhattisgarh’s Prabhtej Bhatia.
Implications for Indian Cricket
The potential transition of power at the BCCI could have significant implications for Indian cricket.
As the new Secretary, Rohan Jaitley would be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the board and ensuring the smooth functioning of the sport in the country.
Moreover, if Jay Shah is elected as the ICC Chairman, it would mark a significant milestone for Indian cricket, with the country playing a more prominent role in shaping the future of the sport globally.
The BCCI elections are scheduled to take place in September 2024, and the outcome will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts across India and around the world.
