Who is former first-class cricketer Devajit Saikia, who replaces Jay Shah as the new BCCI secretary?
On Monday, December 9, the much-awaited wait for the race of the successor of Jay Shah has been announced. Roger Binny, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has announced former Indian wicket-keeper Devajit Saikia from Assam to serve as interim secretary of the BCCI.
Saikia is all ready to work as interim secretary until the elections are done for this post. The position is still open as Jay Shah began his stint as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Binny has used his special command as BCCI president and appointed the joint secretary as interim secretary for the time being.
Notably, the BCCI needs to host the elections for the next secretary within one and a half months or 45 days from the day Jay Shah left the position. According to some reports, the BCCI management already has had internal talks about the next secretary, and the person for this position is likely to have a tenure for close to one year, around September 2025.
Jay Shah began his new role as the ICC chairman on December 1, and he joined this position as an independent member. That means he can't engage with any other board while serving as ICC chairman. That is why it became important to appoint an interim secretary for the BCCI.
Who is Devajit Saikia? BCCI's new interim secretary replacing Jay Shah
Devajit Saikia is a former first-class wicket-keeper who played for Assam. He is currently holding a position of joint secretary for the Indian cricket board. Apart from his career with the BCCI, he is also a renowned advocate who completed his degree from Cotton College.
He played Ranji Trophy for Assam. He also represented East Zone in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and played with Sourav Ganguly. Saikia has also held the position of secretary of the Assam Cricket Association. Saikia was elected as joint secretary of the BCCI on October 18, 2022.
With Jay Shah, he has been announced in many revolutionary moments achieved by the BCCI, including the success of the Women's Premier League (WPL). With his tenure with the BCCI, he also joined as General Secretary of the Guwahati Sports Association (GSA). on May 6, 2023.