 "Devajit Saikia (R) will be the new acting secretary for BCCI. Image: PTI")
Devajit Saikia has reportedly been made the acting secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Jay Shah, who has taken over as International Cricket Council’s new chairman from 1 December 2024. Saikia, a former first-class cricketer, was already the BCCI joint-secretary.
Saikia was appointed as interim replacement for Jay Shah with BCCI president Roger Binny using his special powers. The former India all-rounder used clause 7(1) (d) of the BCCI constitution to appoint Saikia as acting secretary.
“The president shall in the event of vacancy or indisposition shall delegate the functions to another office bearer until the vacancy is duly filled up or indisposition ceases,” Binny wrote to Saikia, as per news agency PTI.
“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.”
Saikia will remain BCCI’s acting secretary till elections are hosted for the post in September 2025.
Who is Devajit Saikia?
Saikia is a powerful man who currently also serves as the Advocate General of Assam.
A former wicket-keeper, Saikia played four first-class matches for Assam, scoring 53 runs with a highest core of 24 and an average of 8.83. All his matches came in the 1990-91 season.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHis career in cricket administration started in 2008 when he became the secretary of the Gauhati Town Club. In 2016, he was one of the six vice presidents of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) before becoming a secretary at the state association.
He was appointed as the 18th Advocate General of Assam in 2021.
Saikia also recently represented India at an ICC board meeting over Champions Trophy 2025