There may be changes to the Indian Premier League (IPL) structure even though the nomination process, at least for the top two positions, is expected to proceed as planned on Tuesday with Roger Binny in line to become the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Jay Shah remaining as the secretary.
The IPL’s incoming chairman could be Arun Singh Dhumal. The addition of Mumbai-based BJP strongman Ashish Shelar to the list of officeholders is another alteration that will be made. Shelar is most likely to submit paperwork to take over Dhumal’s position as treasurer, with Rajeev Shukla, who was vying for the top IPL position, remaining as vice president. Jayesh George of Kerala will be replaced as joint secretary by Devajit Saikia of the Assam Cricket Association.
A change of leadership in the IPL Governing Council was anticipated given that Brijesh Patel, the outgoing chairman, is no longer qualified due to the age limit for such roles. This November, he will turn 70, making him ineligible for the job. With Shukla vying for the position, there has been a lot of hand-wringing over the open position.
However, the BCCI and BJP pulled off a surprise by appointing Dhumal, the former treasurer, to the IPL position.
Since the Supreme Court allowed MPs and MLAs to hold posts in the State and BCCI administrations, Shelar has been blowing hot and cold. Shelar first gave the impression that he would remain with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), and on Monday he even submitted his application for the president position. His inclusion in the BCCI lineup right now is rather unexpected.
But Sourav Ganguly’s absence from the incoming administration is not unexpected. His resignation as president was inevitable, and the recent meeting in Delhi, where he was criticized for his performance, was the final nail in the coffin. It remains to be seen if he will be proposed to the International Cricket Council (ICC), but at this point, it appears doubtful.
Avishek Dalmiya was announced as a member of the IPL Governing Council late on Tuesday afternoon. He was unable to enter the BCCI because Ganguly, the current official representative of the late Jagmohan Dalmiya’s home state CAB, was.
The constitution does allow a non-Representative to be chosen as a Governing Council member.
Mamon Majumdar joins the Apex Council after serving as the IPL GC during the previous BCCI. The Mizoram representative is chosen to serve on the Apex Council. Mizoram is a state in the North Eastern region.