New Delhi: With Jay Shah poised to potentially become the next ICC Chairman, speculation is rife about who might take over his role as BCCI Secretary. Shah, who is reportedly backed by 15 of the 16 ICC Board members, has just a few days to decide if he will make the move. The new ICC Chairman is set to assume office on December 1, with the nomination deadline looming on August 27. However, Shah still has one year remaining in his second consecutive term as BCCI Secretary, and his future moves remain unclear.
If Shah decides to join the ICC, the question of his successor at the BCCI becomes crucial. While there has been no official word from Shah or those close to him, several names have surfaced as potential candidates.
One possibility is that the BCCI could reshuffle its leadership and appoint current Vice-President Rajiv Shukla to the Secretary position for a year. Shukla, a seasoned Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha, could bring his extensive experience to the role. Despite the Vice-President’s role often being more symbolic, Shukla’s political acumen might make him a strong contender.
Another name in the mix is Ashish Shelar, the BCCI Treasurer and a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s BJP and MCA administration. Although Shelar is a highly influential politician, the time-intensive demands of the BCCI Secretaryship might pose a challenge. Nevertheless, his standing in cricket administration keeps him in contention.
Arun Dhumal, currently serving as the IPL Chairman and former BCCI Treasurer, is another strong candidate. Dhumal’s extensive experience in managing the cash-rich IPL and his familiarity with the board’s operations make him a viable option. A potential swap of roles between Dhumal and Shukla has also been suggested as a possible outcome.
Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia, though not widely recognized, plays a key role in the current BCCI administration and could be considered for elevation. Additionally, younger administrators like DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, former CAB President Avishek Dalmiya, and other state unit officials such as Punjab’s Dilsher Khanna, Goa’s Vipul Phadke, and Chhattisgarh’s Prabhtej Bhatia could also be in the running.
Ultimately, the future leadership of the BCCI depends on whether Jay Shah decides to pursue the ICC Chairmanship. If he does, the board will need to act immediately to appoint a new Secretary. If not, Shah could continue to influence Indian cricket from his current position.
