Potential Replacements for Jay Shah as BCCI Secretary in the Event of ICC Chairman Appointment Uncertain, but Candidates Exist

Jay Shah is poised to take over as the next ICC Chairman, with an overwhelming 15 out of 16 members backing his candidacy. However, the question remains as to who will fill his shoes as the BCCI secretary should he accept the new role. With less than 96 hours left to make a decision, Shah faces a deadline of August 27 to officially submit his nomination. If he does step into the ICC Chairman role, he will assume his new responsibilities on December 1. Following the completion of his term, Shah will be subject to a mandatory three-year cooling-off period before he can return to the BCCI, with this period set to begin in October 2025.

But what will happen at the BCCI? Here are the candidates who can replace Jay Shah as the new BCCI secretary

Rajiv Shukla: There is a possibility that BCCI will rejig the positions and ask current vice-president Shukla, a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, to do the job for one year. Shukla wouldn't certainly mind becoming a secretary as BCCI vice-presidents are more like rubber-stamp.

Ashish Shelar: Then there is Maharashtra BJP heavyweight Shelar, who is BCCI treasurer and big name in MCA administration. Shelar however is a consummate politician and BCCI secretaryship is a time consuming job, However, being an influential name, he could be in the mix.

Arun Dhumal: The IPL Chairman has requisite experience to run the board. He has been a treasurer and now heads cash-rich league. Dhumal and Shukla swapping designations could be the easiest way out but often BCCI throws up names that no one could envisages.

There is joint secretary Devajit 'Lon' Saikia, not the most popular name but a vital cog in current BCCI administration, who could also be elevated. Whatever be the permutation and combinations at play, there will be one new candidate in the office-bearers' list if Shah is officially ready to take the plunge.

Other contenders

Younger administrators like Rohan Jaitley, Avishek Dalmiya, Dilsher Khanna, Vipul Phadke, and Prabhtej Bhatia may also be considered. However, a former BCCI secretary notes that the BCCI's power structure typically favors those who have been in the system, making it unlikely for a completely new face to get the top job. Shah's decision will set off a chain reaction, with his future plans remaining unclear.

A former BCCI secretary stated, "There are no hard and fast rules, but typically, president, secretary, and treasurer are the key posts. Someone new can come in, but it's unlikely. First, we need to know if Jay is ready to join the ICC. He can go anytime, even if not now."

Stay informed with the latest updates on live cricket score, cricket players, match schedules and ICC rankings. Keep an eye on your favourite cricket team, including the stellar performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Check out the cricket schedule, track team standings and dive into player stats and rankings on Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times website and app.