BCCI likely to finalise Jay Shah's successor on January 12

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) on January 12, 2025, at its Mumbai headquarters. This meeting will determine the new secretary and treasurer, following the vacancies left by Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar. The BCCI’s constitution mandates filling any vacant posts within 45 days.

Shah, the youngest-ever chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), took up his new role on December 1, 2024, after he resigned from the BCCI secretary position. Similarly, Shelar stepped down as BCCI treasurer after being sworn in as a cabinet minister in Maharashtra’s state government.

"Yes, after the Apex Council Meeting on Thursday, state units were sent a notification about the date of the SGM, which is January 12 at the BCCI headquarters," a state association president was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Both resignations follow the Lodha Committee reforms, which prohibit individuals from holding dual roles or serving as office bearers while holding political office. Meanwhile, the BCCI Apex Council has appointed former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti as the Electoral Officer to oversee the elections. Jyoti had a tenure as India’s Chief Election Commissioner between July 2017 and January 2018.

"As the posts of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer have been vacated, the same are required to be filled up for the remaining period at a Special General Meeting by way of elections," reads an official Board document. "In this regard, the Apex Council is requested to approve the appointment of Mr. Achal Kumar Jyoti, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, as the Electoral Officer to conduct BCCI elections at a Special General Meeting."

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Other contendors for the role are Rohan Jaitley and Arun Dhumal

Currently, the responsibilities of the secretary are being handled by Assam’s Devajit Saikia, while the treasurer’s post remains vacant.

Speculation regarding potential candidates for the secretary’s position is extensive, with names such as Gujarat Cricket Association’s Anil Patel emerging as a dark horse. Other contenders include Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal. That said, the final selection is expected to be a consensus-driven decision.

The role of the BCCI secretary is crucial. The secretary oversees contracts, correspondence, and key administrative decisions, ensuring smooth operations and strategic direction for Indian cricket. Historically, the position has been held by influential figures such as Anurag Thakur, N. Srinivasan, and Jagmohan Dalmiya. Similarly, the treasurer’s role involves critical financial decisions.