Mumbai: Former Assam cricketer and seasoned administrator Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah. The position had been vacant for over a month following Shah’s elevation to the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Saikia’s first task as BCCI secretary was to attend a high-level meeting with board president Roger Binny, captain Rohit Sharma, and coach Gautam Gambhir to address India’s recent performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Sources revealed that the meeting included a detailed discussion about the team’s slump in Test cricket.
Hailing from Assam, Saikia brings a multifaceted background to the role, encompassing cricket, law, and administration. A former first-class cricketer, he represented Assam as a wicketkeeper in four matches between 1990 and 1991, scoring 53 runs and effecting nine dismissals.
Post his cricketing career, Saikia transitioned to law, beginning practice at the Gauhati High Court at the age of 28. Before pursuing law, he secured jobs in the Northern Frontier Railways and the Reserve Bank of India through sports quotas.
Saikia’s journey in cricket administration began in 2016 when he was elected as one of the six vice presidents of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA). He later became the ACA secretary in 2019, further establishing his credentials as a sports administrator.
His appointment marks a significant milestone for cricket in the Northeast, with Saikia’s blend of experience expected to bring fresh perspective to Indian cricket administration.