In a significant move at the Special General Meeting (SGM) held on January 12, former cricketer Devajit Saikia was elected as the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Saikia’s appointment comes after Jay Shah’s exit from the role to take on the position of ICC chairman. Alongside him, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia was appointed as the new treasurer of the BCCI.
Temporary Appointment Becomes Permanent
Before the elections, Devajit Saikia was serving as the acting secretary, a position he had been given by BCCI President Roger Binny. Binny’s powers under Article 7.2 (d) of the BCCI constitution allowed this temporary appointment. However, with no other nominees for the secretary role, Saikia’s election process was smooth, and he officially took on the permanent position.
Devajit Saikia’s Journey in Cricket and Administration
A former wicketkeeper-batsman, Saikia represented Assam in four first-class matches between 1990 and 1991. His playing career was brief, marked by a modest average of 8.83 with a highest score of 54. Behind the stumps, he contributed with eight catches and one stumping. Despite his limited playing opportunities, Saikia transitioned successfully into cricket administration.
After retiring from cricket, Saikia pursued a law career, practicing at the Gauhati High Court. Subsequently, his administrative journey began with the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), where he served as secretary from 2019. During his tenure, he was widely praised for his efficiency and vision, which greatly contributed to the development of cricket in the region. In 2022, Saikia moved to the BCCI as joint secretary, before now taking on the role of the board’s secretary.
Saikia’s Appointment: A Positive Change for Indian Cricket
Saikia’s leadership is set to bring new perspectives to the BCCI and drive the continued growth and success of Indian cricket on the global stage.
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