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The BCCI’s potential move to appoint Devajit Saikia as secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as treasurer has raised eyebrows, particularly due to the lack of consultation with affiliated units. The BCCI sources said that Saikia’s elevation seems plausible, given his former role as joint-secretary and the backing of Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bhatia’s appointment as treasurer is causing concerns due to the imbalance it creates in the regional representation within BCCI’s leadership. Saikia, with his Northeast connections, is seen as a strong candidate for the secretary’s position, especially considering the growing influence of the region in Indian cricket.
However, Bhatia’s appointment, along with the absence of representatives from the West and North zones, creates a lack of regional balance in the current line-up. This is important for the BCCI, despite having formally done away with the zonal system years ago, as there remains an unspoken effort to keep various zones represented in the leadership. This has historical precedent. For instance, when BCCI previously had two selectors from the West zone, the lack of representation from other regions led to adjustments, ultimately filling the vacant slots from the North.
The board sources said that the current situation, with two candidates from Central India, could similarly prompt a review to ensure more balanced representation. It’s clear that the lack of consultation with state associations regarding the selection of key BCCI office-bearers, like the secretary and treasurer, is causing frustration within the cricketing community. As CricBlogger’s conversations with multiple state associations reveal, there’s a strong sentiment that the process should be more inclusive, with state bodies having a say in the selection of office-bearers.
The idea of building a consensus is crucial for the effective functioning of BCCI, as it ensures that the interests of all regions and associations are represented. Without such involvement, the centralization of decisions could lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of cohesion within the board, potentially undermining the authority of its leadership.
As cricket in India is highly regional, having a more consultative approach would likely foster a stronger sense of unity and help in addressing concerns of imbalance in representation, especially when key posts are being filled. State associations are integral to the BCCI’s functioning, and without their backing, any decisions made could be seen as top-down impositions that could have long-term ramifications on the board’s overall effectiveness.
