In a significant announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that its 94th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the upcoming elections will take place on September 28 at 11:30 AM at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The elections will determine the next BCCI President and IPL Chairman, as the current incumbents’ tenures come to an end.

BCCI President Roger Binny, who has reached the maximum age limit of 70, will not be eligible to contest in the elections. Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has completed his six-year tenure and will need to observe a three-year cooling-off period before contesting again, as per committee rules. Current BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who has held the role for nine months after serving as Joint Secretary for over two years, will continue in his position, along with Joint Secretaries Rohan Gauns Desai and Prabhtej Bhatia, both in their first year.

Speculation is rife over who will succeed in key positions. Sanjay Naik, Mumbai Cricket Association Secretary, and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla are both considered likely candidates for IPL Chairman, though nothing is confirmed. If Shukla secures the role, Rakesh Tiwari, Bihar Cricket Association President, could apply for the BCCI Vice President position to replace him.

Challenges and considerations for new leadership

The selection of a new BCCI President will unlikely be an easy choice given the prestige and the power this position wields. Binny's exit will create a vacuum that needs someone of stature in Indian cricket, preferably a former player or respected person, to now lead the organization. 

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Shukla, who has already served five years as BCCI Vice President under the Lodha Constitution, could continue if the National Sports Governance Act comes into effect before the AGM. The new governance law prevents a cooling-off period for any BCCI organized member positions, meaning he is free to stay in position even after completing his first six-year term. Elections will occur on September 28, and now the attention will shift to the official declaration of office bearers and the transition of leadership.

The 1983 World Cup winner and leading wicket-taker in that tournament, Roger Binny, is staying as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President at present, despite crossing the age limit. All the details of this new progress have been discussed here.

Last month, Roger Binny celebrated his 70th birthday. He became the BCCI President in October 2022, after replacing the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. However, according to the Supreme Court-approved BCCI constitution, Binny would now have to leave the Presidency role due to crossing the age limit, which was below 70 years. 

However, the scenario has changed slightly after the National Sports Bill was passed in parliament on Tuesday. BCCI will now come under the purview of the National Sports Bill. If global bodies haven't set any age limit, the National Sports Federations' office bearers can continue till the age of 75. As the International Cricket Council (ICC) hasn't specified the age limit, the BCCI can follow the National Sports Bill, but the state unit members have to agree on it. 

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Roger will continue till board meeting in September

The BCCI will hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September. The fate of Roger Binny as the BCCI President can be decided in the upcoming BCCI AGM. According to the recent PTI report, till the BCCI AGM, the 1983 World Cup winner will continue in the BCCI President role. 

An unnamed source told PTI, "Roger will continue till board meeting in September. Whether he will get a fresh term depends on what members and other powerful people associated with the BCCI decide."

There are other points to discuss in the bill