Who is Devajit Saikia? The New BCCI Secretary Who Succeeds Jay Shah in a Key Leadership Role

Devajit Saikia, an advocate and former wicket-keeper batsman from Assam, has been appointed as the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah. Saikia was elected unopposed to the prestigious position, with no other contestants in the race. The vacancy arose after Jay Shah assumed the role of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in December last year. Saikia’s tenure will last for the next ten months until the next election cycle for BCCI office-bearers.

In addition to Saikia’s appointment, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) has been named the new treasurer, stepping in to replace Ashish Shelar, who now serves as the Information and Technology Minister for the Maharashtra government. Though both Saikia and Bhatia are relatively lesser-known figures in the national cricketing landscape, they bring with them a wealth of experience across various fields.

Saikia’s cricketing career, which lasted just one season, included four matches in the Ranji Trophy, where he managed 53 runs in six innings, along with eight catches and a stumping. However, his brief career was not enough to quench his passion for the sport. After stepping away from competitive cricket, he pursued a law degree and began practicing law at the Guwahati High Court. In 1997, six years after his final Ranji match, Saikia left his job at the Reserve Bank of India and shifted his focus entirely to law, specializing in criminal and insurance cases.

Though he moved away from professional cricket, Saikia remained involved in the game, playing in six-a-side tournaments and club matches in Assam and even participating in Indian Lawyers' Teams. His significant turning point came when he took legal action against the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), accusing the body of financial mismanagement. After a prolonged legal battle, the ACA underwent a leadership change, with Saikia appointed as its secretary in 2019.

Two years later, in a remarkable rise, Saikia became the youngest-ever Advocate General of Assam, further solidifying his influence in both legal and cricketing circles. Now, with his appointment as BCCI Secretary, Saikia is poised to bring his diverse experience to the highest echelons of Indian cricket administration.

Devajit Saikia’s first major announcement as the new BCCI Secretary was the unveiling of the highly anticipated IPL 2025 schedule. The tournament is set to kick off on March 21, with the opening match to be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Saikia made the announcement alongside Rajiv Shukla, the IPL Chairman, marking a significant moment in his tenure. This announcement not only confirmed the start date for one of the most-watched cricket leagues in the world but also highlighted Kolkata’s Eden Gardens as a premier venue for the tournament's opening, setting the stage for another thrilling season of the IPL.