According to Cricbuzz, the crucial decision is expected to be made on September 20 during a meeting between the ruling BJP members and the senior BCCI executives in Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will elect its next group of office-bearers, including the president, on September 28. This may be the big day for Indian cricket, but it may not be the last day to choose a candidate.
Even though it will be informal, the meeting will be held at Home Minister Amit Shah’s house, where it is anticipated that the final details of the upcoming BCCI leadership would be revealed. Former President N Srinivasan famously slapped then-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly for his performance over the previous three years during a similar meeting in 2022. Sourav Ganguly had the option to serve another term, but Roger Binny was ultimately selected by the meeting.
It is simply a question of speculation as to whether Sourav Ganguly and his former teammate Harbhajan Singh would be invited to that meeting again, but rumours are still linking them to the top position. Raghuram Bhatt, a former India Test cricketer from Karnataka, has also been discussed. The former India wicketkeeper Kiran More is also the subject of some conversation.
Since More’s name is not on the list of state association representatives eligible to run for office, the discussion surrounding him may seem baseless at this point, but that is not the case. The ability to change the list is included.
The deadline for the “Examination of Objections and Decisions Thereon (ii) Release of Final Electoral Roll” is September 19, according to AK Joti, the electoral officer for the BCCI, who sent out the notice on September 6. This implies that within the next 24 hours, the state associations have the option to modify their nominees to the AGM.
The choice between Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan, Bhatt, More, or possibly an unexpected name will likely be determined on Saturday night in Delhi.
The ruling BJP has a well-known policy of making sure that successful sportsmen lead national sports organisations, even if it is not known to directly interfere in the day-to-day operations of sports organisations.
Interview with selectors is in progress.
In the meanwhile, on Thursday, September 18, the BCCI will interview the new national selectors. The interviews are being conducted online by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which is composed of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjpe. The third member of the CAC, Sulakshana Naik, is no longer with the group, and the BCCI might need to choose a replacement.
The CAC will select seven candidates in total: four for the national women’s committee, one for the national junior committee, and two for the men’s national selection committee, which is chaired by Ajit Agarkar. Following the AGM on September 28, the new selectors will assume leadership.