**Devajit Saikia Elected as BCCI Secretary, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as Treasurer**
In a significant development in Indian cricket administration, Devajit Saikia has been elected as the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), while Prabhtej Singh Bhatia has been appointed as the Treasurer. This announcement was made during the BCCI Special General Meeting (SGM) held on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Devajit Saikia, a former first-class cricketer from Assam, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He represented Assam in the 1990-91 first-class cricket season, scoring 53 runs in four matches. Saikia has also been involved in cricket administration, serving as the BCCI’s joint secretary and the secretary of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA). Following Jay Shah’s transition to the ICC Chairman role, Saikia had been performing additional duties as the acting interim secretary of the BCCI.
Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, hailing from Chhattisgarh, has been elected as the Treasurer of the BCCI unopposed. This decision was confirmed by BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, who stated that both Saikia and Bhatia were the only candidates to file nominations for their respective positions.
The Special General Meeting also marked Jay Shah’s transition to his role as ICC Chairman, which began on December 1, 2024. Shah, who was felicitated by the BCCI on Saturday night, has extensive administrative experience, including his tenure with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), where he oversaw the development of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium. Under his leadership, India successfully hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup in its entirety for the first time.
In a key decision during Shah’s chairmanship, the ICC recently resolved the issue of hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament will be held in Pakistan, with an additional neutral venue included. The ICC has also adopted a hybrid model for its events in the 2024-27 cycle, with tournaments to be hosted in India or Pakistan.
The transition of leadership within the BCCI comes at an exciting time for Indian cricket. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) venues are set to be finalized soon, according to BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla. Additionally, the selection meeting for the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place on January 18 or 19, with India set to play their opener against Bangladesh on February 20.
In related news, former BCCI Treasurer Ashish Shelar was recently elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Shiv Sena.
The BCCI Special General Meeting was a single-point agenda focused on the election of the Secretary and Treasurer. No other matters were discussed during the meeting, as stated by BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla.
With Devajit Saikia at the helm as the new Secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as Treasurer, the BCCI is poised to continue its efforts in promoting and developing cricket in India. This transition marks a new chapter in the organization’s history, and it is expected that both Saikia and Bhatia will bring their expertise and dedication to the roles, ensuring the continued growth and success of Indian cricket.
