Devajit Saikia, Prabhtej Bhatia likely to be elected unopposed for BCCI secretary and treasurer positions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia is expected to become the next Secretary of the board. Meanwhile, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, who hails from Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS), is likely to take over as the new Treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Following Jay Shah's appointment as ICC Chairman and Ashish Shelar’s move to a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government, two key positions, BCCI Secretary and Treasurer, are now vacant. The BCCI is required to hold elections for the secretary position within 45 days of Shah’s departure.

Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Bhatia File Nominations for Secretary and Treasurer Positions Respectively

According to Indian Express journalist Devendra Pandey, Devajit Saikia has officially filed his nomination for the vacant Secretary position. Pandey also confirmed that Prabhtej Bhatia has submitted his nomination for the Treasurer role. Both individuals are the only applicants for these two positions.

"Some BCCI news: Devajit Sakia, who was joint secretary of BCCI, has filed his nomination for secretary post. Whereas Prabhtej Bhatia of Chattishgarh Cricket Sangh has filed his nomination for BCCI’s treasurer post. Both are lone applicant for two post," Devendra Pandey wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Some BCCI news: Devajit Sakia, who was joint secretary of BCCI, has filed his nomination for secretary post. Whereas Prabhtej Bhatia of Chattishgarh Cricket Sangh has filed his nomination for BCCI’s treasurer post. Both are lone applicant for two post @IExpressSports

— Devendra Pandey 🦋 (@pdevendra) January 4, 2025

Jay Shah began his role as the new ICC Chairman on December 1. He was elected the BCCI secretary in October 2019 and re-elected in October 2022. Shah also served as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) from January 2021 until December 2024, when he was succeeded by Shammi Silva.

Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Bhatia Likely to Be Elected Unopposed

Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Bhatia are expected to be elected unopposed at the BCCI Special General Meeting, scheduled for January 12 in Mumbai. Saikia will represent the Assam Cricket Association, while Bhatia is a member of the BCCI’s Apex Council. A new BCCI joint secretary will need to be elected.

Devajit Saikia, a former wicketkeeper-batter, represented Assam in four first-class matches, scoring 53 runs, and took eight catches along with a stumping.

Before joining the BCCI, he served as the vice president of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) from 2016 to 2018 and later became its secretary. Saikia was also part of the core team that successfully hosted India’s first-ever T20I against Australia in Barsapara in 2017.

Arun Dhumal and Dhanraj Nathwani to Represent HPCA and GCA at BCCI SGM

Arun Dhumal and Dhanraj Nathwani will represent the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) at the BCCI Special General Meeting (SGM), respectively. The Mumbai Cricket Association will be represented by its vice president, Sanjay Naik.

There had been initial speculation about Anil Patel, the GCA secretary, being considered for the secretary position. However, this was later clarified, and Nathwani will represent the GCA in the SGM, according to the draft electoral list.

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