Legendary Cricketer Tipped to Become Next BCCI President Amid Leadership Shake-Up

The BCCI is heading for another major leadership change later this month — and if reports are to be believed, one of Indian cricket’s biggest legends could soon be stepping in as the new president.

According to Dainik Jagran, informal talks have already taken place with the former cricketer during a recent event in England, and a senior political figure is said to be involved in pushing the move forward. While it's still unclear if the cricketing icon has given a definite yes, the discussions point to serious interest at the highest levels.

This potential appointment would follow a growing trend of cricketers leading cricket administration. We’ve seen it before — Sourav Ganguly took the reins in 2019, followed by 1983 World Cup hero Roger Binny. Binny, however, recently stepped down after turning 70, which is the age limit set by BCCI rules.

For now, Vice-President Rajeev Shukla is holding the fort as acting president. But a full election for top BCCI roles — including president, secretary, treasurer, joint secretary, vice-president, and IPL chairman — is set to take place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) later this month.

Why a Cricketer at the Helm Makes Sense

The central government has been vocal about wanting more athletes involved in running sports bodies. With Olympian P.T. Usha heading the Indian Olympic Association, putting a celebrated cricketer in charge of the BCCI would align perfectly with this shift toward athlete-led governance.

Behind the Scenes: Quiet Deals, No Big Clashes

Don’t expect any dramatic showdowns during the BCCI elections. Insiders say most positions are likely to be filled through consensus — with decisions made quietly behind closed doors rather than through contested votes.

Most current office-bearers are expected to stay on. Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia is well within his term limit, and others like Treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia and Joint Secretary Rohan Gauns Desai are also likely to continue.

However, things might change in the near future. The long-awaited National Sports Governance Act, once implemented, could introduce sweeping changes to how sports bodies — including the BCCI — function. But until that happens, everything moves forward under the existing rules.

IPL Chairman Race: One Move Could Trigger Many

There’s also buzz around the IPL chairman’s seat. Rajeev Shukla is believed to be a strong contender, along with Sanjay Naik, the former Mumbai Cricket Association secretary.

If Shukla does take over as IPL chairman, it would leave his vice-president spot vacant — and BJP leader Rakesh Tiwari, currently the head of the Bihar Cricket Association, is being tipped as a potential replacement.

Shukla’s future could also depend on timing. If the new Sports Act kicks in before 2026, it might allow him to skip the usual cooling-off period and stay active in BCCI leadership for longer.

What Happens Next?

With Roger Binny out due to the age cap, and a vacancy at the top, all eyes are now on whether the cricketing legend — whose name has been kept under wraps for now — will accept the role. If he does, it would mark another chapter in the growing trend of players stepping off the field and into positions of power in Indian cricket.

For fans, stakeholders, and insiders alike, this could be a big moment — not just for the BCCI, but for the future of how Indian cricket is run.