Race for next BCCI secretary heats up amid Jay Shah's ICC ambitions

The BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, stepped down as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in the middle of 2024. He got a year of extension of his contract in January 2024 but his stepping down paved the way for his aspiration of coveted ICC Chairman’s position. Shah is contesting for the Chairman’s position and the nomination for the same will be filed on August 7. 

While the ICC’s top job profile election is scheduled for December 1, the rumour mills are abuzz with the next contender for the BCCI Secretary position. Among several candidates, Rajeev Shukla, Ashish Shelar, and Arun Dhumal’s names are doing the rounds. Shah is believed to be backed by 15 out of 16 ICC members to secure chairmanship, but the 35-year-old has 96 hours to decide his next move, with one year of his BCCI secretariat due.

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Shukla currently holds the vice-president position in BCCI and is also a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha for the Congress party. He has also held the chairman position in the Indian Premier League twice and with a vice-president tag to his name currently, he could be the potential fill-in. 

Meanwhile, Shelar holds the Treasurer position at BCCI and is a key member of the Mumbai Cricket Association. Moreover, he is also the President of BJP’s Mumbai hold. Concerning his involvement with other high-profile jobs, it is tough for the BCCI to look at Shelar as the potential secretary as the position demands full involvement. 

As for Dhumal, he is the currently the chairman of IPL and has been the treasurer of BCCI. Looking at the Indian board’s history, Dhumal could rise above the ranks owing to his ongoing association with the cash-rich league.