Devajit Saikia takes over as BCCI Secretary, Prabhtej Bhatia elected Treasurer

In a major development for the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), former Assam cricketer Devajit Saikia has replaced Jay Shah as the Secretary of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI). It is worth noting that Saikia took over the position which was left vacant after Jay Shah took over the chairman's position in the International Cricket Council.

Interestingly, Saikia’s first task as the Secretary was to attend the meeting with the BCCI President, Roger Binny, as the board discussed India's performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“The meeting was detailed, with lengthy discussions on the team’s performance, especially the batting lineup. Management wanted to understand why Indian batters, despite having a strong lineup, have not been able to perform. They also focused on identifying the core reasons and how to rectify them,” a source in the know was quoted as saying by IndiaToday. 

The source also stated that the meeting has been adjourned and the necessary steps will be taken after the conclusion of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. It is worth noting that the BCCI held the meeting after India’s subpar performance in the BGT. 

Team India kicked off the series brilliantly, winning the first Test in Perth. However, with losses in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, along with a sole draw in Brisbane. As a result, Rohit Sharma’s men lost the trophy to Australia after many years. Throughout the series, except for some notable performances, the Indian batters failed to put in a good performance. According to the sources, India’s performance with the bat was a major talking point in the meeting as well.

Binny has elected Saikia as interim joint Secretary

As for Saikia, the new secretary of the BCCI will look to do his job to the best of his abilities. A former first-class cricketer, and with a career in cricket, law, and administration. After his days in cricket, Saikia transitioned into a career in law.

Also Read: Devajit Saikia takes over as acting Secretary of BCCI as Jay Shah’s replacement

Moving on, now he will be serving as the new BCCI secretary. For the unversed, after Shah was confirmed to head the apex cricket governing body, using his special powers as per the constitution of the Indian board, Chairman Binny elected Saikia as the interim official to discharge the role of the joint Secretary in the BCCI.

Roger Binny, President, BCCI, said, “I extend my warmest congratulations to Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia on their appointments as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, respectively. They are taking forward the exceptional legacy of Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar, who have set exemplary standards in these roles. I am confident that their proven administrative acumen and deep understanding of financial operations will help us reach new heights in both governance and financial management. I also take this opportunity to thank our State Associations for their unanimous support and their faith in our shared vision for Indian Cricket.”

Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President, BCCI, said, “The appointments of Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia mark an exciting new chapter for BCCI's administrative framework. They step into the distinguished shoes of Mr. Jay Shah and Mr. Ashish Shelar, who were stellar in their respective roles. Saikia and Bhatia, with their track record in cricket administration and professional expertise are ideal choices and I look forward to working closely with them. The overwhelming endorsement from our State Associations reinforces our collective commitment to taking the game to greater heights. We will continue to develop cricket infrastructure across the country and create more opportunities for everyone to be involved in our beautiful game."