The Maha Kumbh Mela, a huge and holy event which occurs every 12 years in India, is a magnet to millions of devotees in quest of spiritual renewal. In 2025, the Mela at Prayagraj did not see just pilgrims, but a few well-known cricketers of India too, who walked the banks of the holy Sangam to experience this phenomenon.

Among the cricketers who made it to the Maha Kumbh Mela were past and present stars, some of whom tweeted and spoke in interviews about the experience, sharing how spiritually rewarding the event was.

Suresh Raina 

Mary Kom and Suresh Raina went for a dip in the Ganga at the weekend. Raina shared images from his dip on social media, whereas Mary Kom was spotted enjoying herself to the fullest at the spot. Raina went onto social media to share a small peep into his spiritual experience and termed his visit an experience to remember.

Just had an unforgettable darshan experience at Mahakumbh! Felt the divine energy & spirituality of the gathering. Blessed to be a part of this sacred event #Mahakumbh #Darshan #SpiritualExperience #DivineBlessings" pic.twitter.com/j7gClY6DWc

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) January 25, 2025

Anil Kumble

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Anil Kumble and his wife came to Prayagraj on Tuesday and had a holy dip on Magh Purnima, a day without VIP security. They came to the holy confluence by boat, sharing the experience like common pilgrims.

Blessed 🙏🏽#MahaKumbh #Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/OFY6T3yF5F

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) February 12, 2025

R.P.Singh

former Indian cricketer and T20 World Cup-winning pacer RP Singh attended the event and lauded the government for handling everything well

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | On #MahaKumbhMela2025, Cricketer RP Singh says, "I have come here for the second time. The management here is great and I am very fortunate that I got the opportunity of Kumbh Snan in this time period... It is difficult to think how 50 crore people could… pic.twitter.com/olW4RkOOre

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025

Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar visits the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh.

Sunil Gavaskar takes a holy dip at Sangam in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh. 🙏✨#Cricket #India #BCCI #SunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/RSIe4P872L

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 18, 2025

Mohammad Kaif

ALSO SEE : Virat Kohli vs. Babar Azam: A Battle of Modern-Day Batting Greats

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif visited Prayagraj ahead of the Maha Kumbh festival and took a dip in the Yamuna River.

Abe isi Jamuna ji mein tairaki seekha hoon 😀 #sangam #prayagraj pic.twitter.com/yVs67yJMWb

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 29, 2024

Jay shah

ICC Chairman Jay Shah, along with his family, arrived at Prayagraj on January 27 to attend the Maha Kumbh, a festival steeped in spirituality and tradition.

#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Saints bless the baby boy of Jay Shah - ICC chairman and son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/97qA7hwuOb

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with his family, in the presence of several saints and CM Yogi Adityanath, performs 'aarti' at Triveni Sangam during #Mahakumbh2025 in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/K8bftnGKwg

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

Apart from Shah, his son and ICC chairman Jay Shah also visited the Maha Kumbh. Clad in saffron attire like his father, the cricket administrator sought blessings from the seers for his newborn son.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah Offers Prayers at Hanumangarhi Temple in Ayodhya on Republic Day 2025

Jay Shah went to the Hanumangarhi Temple in Ayodhya on a special holiday, Republic Day, in 2025. Sourav Ganguly, is also one of these 13 important persons on the board, which is going to help cricket become popular all over the world.

#WATCH | Chairman - International Cricket Council (ICC), Jay Shah arrives at Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/pRGppHM2PJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025

They all listen to the well known cricket player from Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara. Now, he helps to come up with ideas for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) because they believe he is very smart and knows a lot about cricket. In addition, Jay Shah is also one of the 13 who started the World Cricket Connects Advisory Board because he understands cricket very well and wants to make it improve all over the world.

ALSO READ: Sajid Khan Brings John Cena's Iconic 'You Can't See Me' Celebration to Pakistan vs West Indies Match

#WATCH | Ayodhya: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah offers prayers at Hanumangarhi Temple. pic.twitter.com/CmaW2urWTr

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025

Jay Shah loves cricket a lot and cares deeply about his job. By going to temples and being part of major cricket leagues, he shows he believes in what he's doing without any unsure pause. Because of his work, he's going to be vitally important for cricket games all over the world, or take in the need for them.

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.

ALSO READ:India's Squad Set for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Announcement

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.

Also Read: You've got to give Gambhir some slack: Dinesh Karthik

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 leaders in a meeting are encouraged to contemplate groups like the ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia, are conversing about changing things in Test cricket. They're planning on splitting it into two leagues, with six teams in each. To make it more exciting, they desire to introduce a way for teams to climb up or fall down between these leagues.Why, it's to keep the games exciting and make sure that the top teams fight it out more frequently.

They're also thinking about setting aside specific times for Test matches so fans can follow the games without breaks and enjoy it more. This entire plan is about making Test cricket more exciting and overtly competitive.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) set up a $15 million fund, at the same time, to keep Test cricket alive, so the best players don't leave it for those games that make a lot of money. The money is there to make sure Test players are excellently paid more for each game and to help cover the costs of tours. They're doing this to keep the traditional methods of playing cricket exciting and going strong.

Cricket's leaders are really working hard to bring new energy to Test Cricket, so it's enjoyable to see and makes money. They're trying their best to keep the antiquated style of the game spectacular for the fans and the players too.

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ICC Men's Test Team Rankings

As of January 2025, the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings are:

🚨 INDIA, AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND TO PLAY EACH OTHER OFTEN. 🚨

- Jay Shah, Cricket Australia and ECB are in talks to split Test cricket into two divisions so the big 3 nations can play each other more often. (The Age). pic.twitter.com/6GrBOVJ1Vw

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 6, 2025

Top 5 Test cricket series/events with the highest viewership worldwide

Jay Shah, Cricket Australia, and the England and Wales Cricket Board are discussing revamping Test cricket with a new system that has two divisions. They want to change things so that the major teams India, Australia, and England get to face off more, while also attempting to help the other teams move up with a system that allows teams to get promoted or relegated.

By trying different and new options and making teams work hard to keep their place, they're hoping to make Test cricket much more interesting and clearly competitive from top to bottom. The important idea behind all of this is to get more people watching Test cricket bring in more sponsors by setting up big-name matches and, basically, make Test cricket better and more interesting than ever, especially since, today, the shorter T20 games are getting all the attention. They're trying to keep everyone involved and excited about what could be a major change for the better.

As per sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently got in touch with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to express their desire to host the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai, UAE. The venue was decided following a meeting between Sheikh Mubarak Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB.  The meeting took place during Al Nahyan's tour to Pakistan in Sanghar in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

See also: ICC Champions Trophy schedule under consideration, India set to clash with Pakistan on Feb 23

Dubai nears the final stages of confirmation as the neutral venue

With PCB and ECB successfully coming to an agreement on selecting a neutral venue, Dubai has almost been bookmarked to host the iconic India-Pakistan clash. Additionally, two other venues such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are also in consideration but due to the ground's enormous seating capacity, Dubai will take precedence. 

A statement from a PCB official read the following: 

"The PCB has chosen the UAE as the neutral venue and the PCB has formally informed the ICC about the decision. Now, India and Pakistan's Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE. The final decision was made after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan." 

As per ICC, the selection of a neutral venue for any global event rests solely on the discretion of the host board. PCB also explored other options like Sri Lanka but eventually decided to narrow down to UAE.

Looking beyond Champions Trophy

As per the agreement reached by BCCI and PCB earlier, both boards have decided to play each other in what's now called a "fusion model". On December 19, the ICC confirmed that both India and Pakistan will face each other in future ICC events in neutral venues for the next three years.

This will apply to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (India) and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka). The clarity around venues for the forthcoming Indo-Pak clashes puts an end to a lingering dispute between India and Pakistan which has long existed due to ongoing political tensions.

The uncertainty surrounding the fate of Champions Trophy 2025 continues to loom large. With less than two months to go, the fate of the marquee event remains vastly unknown. The entire tournament was originally planned to be held in Pakistan but India's refusal to send its national side to the neighboring country has created numerous complications for the apex body. Both BCCI and the PCB are reportedly at loggerheads and unwilling to make any concessions on their part.

The major source of contention currently revolves around finalizing the venues. But in recent times, ICC has managed to make some notable progress in resolving this ongoing dispute between the two major cricketing bodies. In a bid to break the deadlock once and for all, ICC has confirmed on Thursday that the matches between India and Pakistan will be scheduled in a neutral venue till 2027 which also included the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

See also: Watch: Virat Kohli lashes out at the reporters for breaching his privacy

Major announcement on IND-PAK matches

In a recent statement published by the executive Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body confirmed the acceptance of a "two-way" hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches. In other words, the proposal implies that India will not travel to Pakistan and rather play it's matches in a neutral venue whereas Paksitan will also have the same arrangement in place and play all it's matches against India in a neutral venue. 

"India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country as part of the ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed on Thursday." 

The agreement will remain in place till 2027 and will automatically apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

In addition, Pakistan will also be awarded the hosting rights of the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 and arrangements to pursue neautral venues will be explored accordingly. Experts speculate that Dubai can be seen as an ideal venue to host India's matches in the upcoming Champions Trophy edition.

ICC to communicate Champions Trophy schedule shortly

After successfully forging a deal between two ideologically opposed cricketing bodies, ICC is now working around the clock to finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. They are in a race against time and are under immense pressure from the broadcasters who are demanding for an official schedule to be finalized at the earliest convinience. The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan.

As per widespread reports, it is believed that the PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi has given in to ICC & BCCI's demands to host the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model. As per sources from PTI, it has been "agreed in principle" by the Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member associates to host the Champions Trophy with a hybrid model.

The marquee event will comprise eight teams and will be played in the month of February and March in 2025. While the majority of the matches would be played in Pakistan, India will have their matches scheduled in a natural venue which in all likelihood would be Dubai. As per a top ICC source, the decision has more or less been finalized during an informal meeting between the body's new President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan.

See also: Champions Trophy Venue debacle to be settled over this weekend

Hybrid model but with a twist

Whilst accepting the proposal to go ahead with a hybrid model, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stressed having a reciprocal arrangement for its national side till 2031 and urged the BCCI to comply with their request. Although BCCI is yet to respond to this request, ICC has come forward and formally accepted PCB's plea to have a similar arrangement till 2027. 

"It's been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan with India playing its matches in Dubai. It's a win-win situation for all stakeholders."

However, such a development can spell bad news for BCCI and its supporters. Between 2025 and 2027, India will play host to two World Cup editions. The Women's ODI World Cup will be held in 2026 whereas the Men's T20 World Cup will be held a year later in 2027. 

Should Pakistan abstain from visiting India as per the newly proposed hybrid model agreement, Indian fans could be devoid of high-octane Indo-Pak rivalry on their home turf. More importantly, both the BCCI and the ICC will have to cope with some significant financial blows if that were to happen. 

What does the future look like for the Indian team?

Being the host of an ICC event, India will have to go the extra mile by visiting a neutral venue to play its fixtures with Pakistan. Such a move may not only be unsustainable but also be unprecedented from BCCI's standpoint. 

Such an agreement will effectively mean that the Indian women's team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play their league match against Pakistan whereas Pakistan's men's team will be considering the possibility of playing all its matches of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have been at an all-time low since the 2008 terror attacks. India's last visit to Pakistan came in the 2008 Asia Cup edition with Sri Lanka being the eventual winners of it. 

The uncertainty regarding the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 continues to linger on as ICC is yet to finalize the venue which both BCCI and PCB can mutually agree upon. Whilst the BCCI continues to persuade the ICC to adopt a hybrid model, the PCB on the other hand remains hell-bent on organizing the entire tournament in Pakistan, be it with or without India.

This deadlock has put ICC in a difficult situation. With less than 100 days to go for the marquee event, ICC called upon an urgent meeting on Friday, 29th of November with the BCCI and PCB to come to an urgent solution. That meeting lasted for about 15 minutes on a phone call and has been further deferred to the weekend in a bid to allow the boards more time to reach a mutually agreed solution.

See also: The future of Champions Trophy 2025 set to be determined at the ICC's board meeting this Friday

What's in the works to make the CT 2025 dream work?

It is now understood that along with BCCI and PCB leadership, a couple of other member boards will now sit down with the ICC think tank to work out a solution that can be acceptable to all parties. 

The two boards who are now at loggerheads with each other have been actively discussing this matter and the discussions will likely continue over this weekend. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has publicly made it clear that he is open to helping BCCI sort out problems with regard to their travel to Pakistan.

The ongoing Champions Trophy tussle has now evolved into a political issue between the two countries and in all likelihood, any proposal that is taken mutually by the boards will have to be government-approved before being submitted to the ICC.  

PCB has officially stuck to its age-old narrative of not hosting the eight-team tournament in the hybrid format. However, in recent times, there has been a slight alteration in that narrative but with certain conditions. Should a hybrid model be adopted due to India's unwillingness to travel to India, Pakistan may also reciprocate in a tit-for-tat manner and may demand the ICC to shift their fixtures with India to a neutral venue for future tournaments. 

On Thursday morning, Naqvi didn't rule out the possibility of having a hybrid model but stressed that he will need the clearance and the backing of his own government to make any subsequent decisions. 

The Indian government's stance on this matter

A spokesperson from the MEA in India publically stated while addressing the press that India will not tour Pakistan citing 'security concerns'. He makes his stance clear that the government is unwilling to send the Rohit Sharma-led team to the neighboring country due to the ongoing security crisis. 

"They have said there are security concerns there and therefore it is unlikely the team will be going there. Please do refer to the statement issued by the BCCI."

The BCCI has not issued a public statement on the matter of their travel to Pakistan, nor has security been a prime source of concern as highlighted by MEA. In fact, the BCCI has treated the decision to travel to Pakistan as one to be made by the Indian government rather than the board.