Devajit Saikia Takes Over as BCCI Secretary

In a key development for Indian cricket, Devajit Saikia has been elected as the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah, who has taken over as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Prabhtej Singh Bhatia has also been appointed as the new Treasurer, replacing Ashish Shelar, who recently assumed a Ministerial position in the Maharashtra cabinet. Both Saikia and Bhatia were elected unopposed, as no other candidates filed nominations for the posts. The election was officially confirmed during the Special General Meeting (SGM) held on January 12, 2025, with A.K. Joti, the BCCI election officer, overseeing the process.

Devajit Saikia, an Assam cricketer, has had a notable cricketing career, having played four first-class matches as a wicketkeeper-batter for Assam in the Ranji Trophy. Despite his brief playing career, Saikia has made a significant impact in cricket administration. He previously served as the joint secretary of the BCCI and played a pivotal role in the development of the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Apart from his cricketing administration experience, Saikia is also the Attorney General for the Government of Assam, maintaining close ties with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Saikia holds an excellent educational background, having specialized in criminal and insurance laws at the Guwahati High Court. He began his legal practice in 1997 after leaving his job at the Reserve Bank of India. His combination of legal expertise and cricket administration experience positions him well for the role of BCCI Secretary, with key responsibilities including overseeing the transition of the Indian men’s team in Tests and ODIs, managing day-to-day affairs of the BCCI, and tackling challenges such as team selection and tournament organization.

Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, the new BCCI Treasurer, hails from a family involved in liquor distribution and is the co-founder and CEO of Simba Beer, a craft beer company launched in 2014. Bhatia has been active in cricket administration, serving as a member of the Apex Council for the 2019-2022 term and part of the three-person committee that investigated the threats received by cricketer Wriddhiman Saha from a journalist.

The election of Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia marks a new era for the BCCI, and cricket fans will be keen to see how the duo addresses the challenges of leading Indian cricket in the years to come.

 

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