Roger Binny, the top wicket-taker in India’s victorious Word Cup campaign in 1983, was officially elected as the 36th president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unopposed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Tuesday. Benny replaced former India captain Sourav Ganguly, whose three-year tenure as the board chief ended. Ganguly will now fight for the top post of the Cricket Association of Bengal.
Other BCCI office bearers who were elected unanimously include Secretary Jay Shah, Ashish Shelar (Treasurer), Rajeev Shukla (Vice-President) and Devajit Saikia (Joint Secretary). Outgoing treasurer Arun Dhumal was elected to the IPL board along with Avisk Dalmiya. Dhumal became the new chairman of the IPL, replacing Brijesh Patel.
“The members of the General Body appreciated the efforts of the outgoing office-bearers, the Chairman and members of the IPL Governing Council and the members of the Council for the work done during their tenure,” the BCCI said in a statement. The election of a new set of office bearers was a formality as they were all elected without consent. Binny, who represented India in 27 Tests and 72 ODIs, also served as a member of the national selection committee.
A handy batsman in the order, the right-arm medium pacer is best remembered for his performance in the 1983 World Cup. With 18 wickets, Binny finished as the tournament’s top wicket-taker and played a key role in the Kapil Dev-led Indian side lifting their first World Cup title.
However, there was no discussion about the International Cricket Council (ICC) presidency. The next ICC president will be elected at the board meeting in Melbourne next month.”As for India’s representative at the ICC, that will be decided by the office bearers. There was no discussion on the ICC presidency. The agenda was discussed,” a state unit official who attended the general meeting told PTI heaps.
The BCCI is unlikely to nominate its own candidate for the post of ICC chairman as the October 20 deadline for nominations looms. MKJ Majumdar was elected to the BCCI Apex Council as the representative of the general body.
IPL approved for women
The General Council also approved the inaugural Women’s IPL, which will consist of five teams and will be held in March. “How the teams will be sold and how the tournament will be run will be decided by the GC before long,” the source said.
