BCCI Succession Plan Takes Center Stage Ahead of Annual General Meeting
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 29, 2024, in Bengaluru, is set to be a routine affair. However, behind the scenes, discussions have been abuzz with the impending “succession plan” for BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is set to take over as International Cricket Council (ICC) chair on December 1.
With Shah’s departure, the race for his successor has intensified. Three names have emerged as potential candidates: treasurer Ashish Shelar, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, and Delhi and District Cricket Association chief Arun Jaitley. However, a surprise candidate from a west zone association could also emerge in the coming months.
The BCCI hierarchy is reportedly gauging the affiliates’ response to the possibility of a relative newcomer taking on major responsibility. However, formal discussions on the succession plan are expected to begin only after Shah steps down towards the end of November.
Meanwhile, the AGM will focus on routine matters, including the unopposed election of Avishek Dalmiya and Dhumal as members of the IPL governing council. V Chamundeswarnath is also set to be re-elected as the Indian Cricketers’ Association’ nominee in the governing council.
The AGM may also consider floating invitations for any of the men’s junior selection committee posts. However, it is likely that the house will authorize office-bearers to finalize the cricket committees and sub-committees.
In a separate development, the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru was inaugurated on Saturday evening. The inauguration was followed by an exhibition cricket game among affiliates and BCCI office-bearers.