Roger Binny set to replace Ganguly as BCCI president; Jay Shah to retain post

India’s 1983 World Cup winning hero Roger Binny is set to replace Sourav Ganguly as the BCCI President when the Board will hold its AGM on October 18, sources in the cricket body said on Tuesday (October 11).

After hectic parleys and back-channel discussions in the past one week, it was decided that the 67-year-old from Bengaluru would be the 36th Board president, said one of the sources familiar with the development.

Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will continue as BCCI Secretary for his second consecutive term. Shah is also expected to replace Ganguly as India’s representative at the all powerful ICC Board.

“Jay has been at the forefront of dealing with ICC matters on behalf of BCCI and with the 2023 World Cup round the corner in just one year’s time, it is important that India has a robust leadership at the Board of Director’s meeting in coming days,” a BCCI source said.

Binny will officially take charge of BCCI on October 18 at the AGM in Mumbai. There would not be any election to any post as all candidates will be chosen unopposed. All the people in the fray, including Shah and Shukla, filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.

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Binny, though, is a surprise choice to head the BCCI. However, hints were dropped that his name will crop up for some position when Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) named him as its representative at BCCI AGM instead of secretary Santosh Menon.

The medium pacer was one of the architects of India’s historic World Cup triumph in 1983. In eight games, he took 18 wickets, the highest in that edition of prestigious tournament.

“Roger is one of the finest human beings and a thorough gentleman, who has graced the field for India. Plus, he is also a World Cup hero and has a squeaky clean image. He had resigned from selection committee as his son Stuart back then was in contention to be in Indian team,” said another BCCI source. “He is the right choice for the job,” the source added.

The only Congressman in the BCCI cabinet is Rajeev Shukla, who will continue as vice president. Sports minister Anurag Thakur’s younger brother Arun Singh Dhumal, who is currently the treasurer, will now become IPL chairman. He will replace Brijesh Patel.

Influential Maharashtra BJP leader Ashish Shelar will be the new treasurer which means that he would not become Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president. He was supposed to take up the role with support from Sharad Pawar faction.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s close aide Devajit Saikia will replace Jayesh George as the new joint secretary.

Whether BCCI will contest for the ICC chairmanship has not been decided as yet.

Ganguly refuses IPL chairmanship

Ganguly who reached Mumbai on Monday evening, had a lot of meetings with the stakeholders in New Delhi, last week. The former India captain was keen to continue as BCCI President but he was told that there is no precedence of giving a second term to the Board president.

“Sourav was offered IPL chairmanship but he politely declined the offer. His logic was that he cannot accept becoming head of a sub-committee in BCCI after heading the same institution. He had expressed interest in continuing in the position,” the BCCI source said.

In case of Dhumal, the decision makers waited for Ganguly to take a call on IPL chairmanship and once he refused, they promoted the Himachal man, who, along with secretary Shah, are known to be the most efficient men in last BCCI cabinet.

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With Ganguly moving out of the picture, the East representation was always going to be Assam CM Biswa Sarma’s call as he played a key role even last time. The names of members in the BCCI Apex Council and IPL Governing Council will be known when the final list will be published in a few days.

(With inputs from agencies)