Devajit Saikia appointed acting BCCI secretary after Jay Shah's ICC role
Devajit Saikia, a former first-class cricketer from Assam, has been appointed the acting secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Jay Shah transitioned to the role of President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Saikia, who currently serves as BCCI’s joint secretary, will temporarily assume the role until a permanent appointment is made, in line with BCCI’s regulations. This decision was made by BCCI President Roger Binny, who exercised his constitutional powers to appoint Saikia.
In a formal letter to Saikia, Binny invoked Clause 7(1)(d) of the BCCI constitution, which allows the president to delegate secretary duties in case of a vacancy or when the incumbent is indisposed. Binny expressed confidence in Saikia’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities effectively, assuring him that the post will be formally filled following BCCI’s established processes.
Saikia, who also serves as the Advocate General of Assam, is expected to hold the acting secretary role until September 2025, when a permanent secretary is anticipated to be appointed.
Jay Shah, who was previously BCCI's secretary, assumed his new position as ICC Chairman on December 1, 2024. Shah has been instrumental in reshaping the cricket landscape, from his early work with the Gujarat Cricket Association to his significant contributions to the BCCI from 2019 onward.
ICC 'defers' crucial CT meeting
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has deferred its crucial meeting regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, which was scheduled for December 7.
The sources revealed that the meeting was postponed due to the lack of response by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the demands put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the long-standing dispute between the two sides regarding the venue of much-awaited Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan and India reportedly made a "breakthrough" on the matter of event's venue a day earlier, agreeing to play their matches at neutral venues for ICC tournaments hosted by either one of them.
Sources said that under the new arrangement, India's matches will take place in Dubai, while Pakistan's games in the India-hosted T20 World Cup will also be held at neutral venues.
The agreement will reportedly apply to all ICC events through 2027.