Devajit Saikia, a distinguished former cricketer and advocate from Assam, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Jay Shah. His appointment was officially confirmed during a Special General Meeting (SGM) held on January 12, 2025, in Mumbai, where he was elected unopposed for the prestigious position. This move marks an important transition in Indian cricket administration, as Saikia steps into a critical role overseeing the operations and policies of one of the most powerful cricketing bodies in the world.

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Background and Career

Devajit Saikia was born on April 19, 1969, in Guwahati, Assam. He completed his schooling at Don Bosco School, Guwahati, and later pursued his higher education at Cotton College under Gauhati University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1990 and a Master's degree in Economics in 1994. Additionally, Saikia obtained a Law degree (LLB) from Old Earle Law College (now known as BRM Govt. Law College) in 1996. His academic background reflects a well-rounded personality, balancing his professional interests in both sports and law.

Saikia’s cricketing journey began in the early 1990s when he represented Assam as a wicketkeeper and middle-order batter in first-class cricket. His notable contribution came in the 1990-1991 season, where he played four first-class matches, scoring 53 runs. Although his playing career was brief, Saikia made significant contributions behind the stumps, recording nine dismissals during his playing tenure.

After his playing days were over, Saikia shifted his focus to law, becoming an advocate at the Guwahati High Court at the age of 28. His expertise in both cricket and law made him a valuable asset in cricket administration, where he made a name for himself. Saikia became the Secretary of the Assam Cricket Association, where he contributed to the development of the sport at the regional level. His leadership and administrative capabilities were recognized, and in October 2022, he was appointed as the Joint Secretary of the BCCI. His most recent promotion to Secretary is a testament to his dedication and efficiency in handling cricketing affairs.

Role 

As the new Secretary of the BCCI, Devajit Saikia will have a significant role in managing and overseeing the board's extensive operations. The BCCI is responsible for organizing international and domestic cricket events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), managing player welfare, setting up developmental programs, and ensuring the financial health of the organization. Saikia's primary task will be to ensure smooth administrative functioning, handle negotiations, and enhance India’s cricketing performance on the global stage.

One of the key aspects of his appointment is the critical timing, as the BCCI aims to elevate India's standing in world cricket. With a packed international calendar and the ever-growing popularity of the IPL, Saikia's leadership is expected to bring fresh perspectives to various administrative challenges.

#Watch | Devajit Saikia elected new BCCI secretary#DevajitSaikia #BCCISecetary #BCCI #CricketLeadership #IndianCricket pic.twitter.com/v9feFla4vP

— Moneycontrol (@moneycontrolcom) January 12, 2025

Recent Developments

Since assuming his role as Secretary, Saikia has already been involved in some crucial BCCI discussions. His first official task included a meeting with BCCI President Roger Binny, where they discussed India’s performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. This meeting was part of Saikia’s initial steps in shaping BCCI's approach towards improving cricket at both the national and international levels.

Devajit Saikia’s rise to the role of Secretary marks a new era for the BCCI, particularly with the growing importance of India’s cricketing achievements and the expanding footprint of the IPL. His dual expertise in law and cricket administration is expected to provide the BCCI with a unique perspective on resolving disputes, managing players, and securing long-term partnerships for the betterment of the sport.

While his predecessor, Jay Shah, has left behind a robust legacy, Saikia’s appointment is viewed as an opportunity to continue the momentum and bring new ideas to the table. As India continues to dominate world cricket, Saikia’s role will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket, both on and off the field.

In the coming months, all eyes will be on how Saikia manages the dynamic challenges that come with the territory of BCCI Secretary, as he navigates through the complexities of governance, media relations, and international cricket diplomacy.

For more details, Devajit Saikia’s background and further developments in his career are expected to unfold in the months ahead, making this appointment one to watch closely in the realm of Indian sports.

Assam wicket-keeper batsman Devjit Saikia has been elected as the new secretary of BCCI after Jay Shah was appointed the head of the ICC (International Cricket Council). 

The position of BCCI secretary was vacant since December because by then Jay Shah had been appointed as ICC chairman. Devajit Saikia's name had been given however, he was not officially announced as BCCI secretary.

Saikia had his official meeting of BCCI with coach Gautam Gambhir, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, and BCCI President Roger Binny last Saturday.

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The meeting was to review the performance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and future things related to captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement as he (Rohit Sharma) said, he will retire after the Champions Trophy till the BCCI grooms a captain and Rohit will support BCCI decision and he will groom the future captain. 

Who is Devajit Saikia?

Devajit Saikia comes from Assam and has a background in cricket unlike Jay Shah, he has played between 1990 to 1991. He has managed to play only 4 matches, scored only 53 runs, and served as a wicket-keeper batsman. 

After an unsuccessful cricketing career, he started practicing as a lawyer at 28 in the Gauhati High Court. Before becoming a lawyer he served in RBI and Northern Frontier Railways (NFR) with sports quota. 

Saikia entered the cricket administration in 2016 as the vice president of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) under Hemanta Biswasarma's presidency. He became the ACA secretary in 2019.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny has appointed the joint secretary Devajit Saikia as the interim secretary of the board. The position had been vacant since December 1 as Jay Shah left the position due to taking over the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

To appoint an interim secretary, the BCCI president utilised the special power which has been given in the constitution 7 (1) (d). Till the appointment of the permanent secretary under the BCCI rules and regulations, it has been set up as a stop-gap arrangement.

Article 7 (1) (d) claims, "The President shall, in the event of a vacancy, or indisposition of an office-bearer, delegate the functions to another Office-Bearer, delegate the functions to another Office-Bearer, until the vacancy is duly filled up, or the indisposition ceases."

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I am confident you will perform the duties to the best: Binny to Saikia

The BCCI president Roger Binny wrote to Saikia, "Accordingly, I delegate the functions of secretary to you till the post is filled up by processes laid down as per BCCI rules and regulations. I am confident you will perform the duties to the best of your abilities and with aplomb." 

Although there is no official clarification for the timeline of the latest interim secretary role, the PTI report believes the latest interim secretary role will be carried on till September 2025.

On December 5, Saikia attended the ICC board meeting in Dubai.

Who is Devajit Saikia?

Saikia is a former first-class cricketer. He played four first-class matches for the Assam cricket team between 1990 and 1991. He was a wicketkeeper and middle-order batter. Earlier, he served Assam in various youth-age tournaments.

Saikia gave up professional cricket to pursue his law career. Before starting to practice in the law field, Saikia earned jobs in the Northern Frontier Railways and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through a sports quota. Saikia also played several Lawyers’ World Cups, including captaining one of the two Indian teams in the 2015-16 season.

Saikia's cricket administration journey started in 2016. He was one of the six vice presidents of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), and he became the secretary of the ACA in 2019. In 2022, he became the BCCI joint secretary.