Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia Take Key Roles in BCCI’s Leadership Transition
Devajit Saikia’s confirmation as the secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia’s appointment as treasurer signal a new phase in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
These appointments, made during the Special General Meeting, follow significant transitions within the board.
Saikia, previously the joint secretary since 2022, succeeds Jay Shah, who stepped down to take on the role of ICC Chair as of December 1, 2024.
Meanwhile, Bhatia replaces Ashish Shelar, who vacated the treasurer’s position after assuming a ministerial role in Maharashtra’s cabinet.
With Saikia’s earlier position as joint secretary now vacant, the BCCI is required to hold elections within 45 days to fill the post.
Devajit Saikia: From Cricket to Leadership
A former first-class cricketer for Assam, Saikia’s cricketing career spanned four Ranji Trophy matches.
His transition to administration began in 2003 at Gauhati Town Club (GTC), where he worked alongside Himanta Biswa Sarma, now the Chief Minister of Assam.
Saikia later became GTC’s general secretary and played a pivotal role in the Assam Cricket Association (ACA).
In 2016, Saikia was elected as one of the six vice presidents of the ACA and later became its secretary in 2019.
His contributions include addressing financial irregularities and overseeing the completion of the ACA Stadium in Barsapara.
According to ACA joint secretary Rajendra Singh, “He has changed the cricket in Assam, the outlook, how people used to think about cricket in Assam and how people think now. Talent has always been there, but to groom it in the right perspective came when Saikia became the secretary.”
Challenges Ahead for Saikia
As BCCI secretary, Saikia’s primary challenge in 2025 will involve collaborating with the men’s selection committee and team management to ensure smooth transitions in the ODI and Test formats.
Additionally, the board faces the task of hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and preparing for the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
Saikia’s extensive administrative experience and his track record in Assam offer hope for significant advancements in Indian cricket.
Prabhtej Singh Bhatia: The New Treasurer
Prabhtej Singh Bhatia’s appointment as treasurer introduces a youthful energy to the BCCI. A young entrepreneur, Bhatia comes from a family deeply involved in cricket and business.
His father, Baldev Singh Bhatia, was instrumental in Chhattisgarh gaining full-member status with the BCCI in 2016. Though Bhatia has been a BCCI apex council member, this marks his first official role since 2022.
Jay Shah’s Legacy and the ICC Chairmanship
Jay Shah’s tenure as BCCI secretary ended as he transitioned to the ICC Chairmanship on December 1, 2024.
Under Shah’s leadership, India hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup, and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad became the world’s largest cricket venue.
One of Shah’s first decisions as ICC Chair was resolving the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights, deciding on Pakistan as the host alongside a neutral venue.
Ashish Shelar’s Departure and Saikia’s Perspective on Test Cricket
Ashish Shelar’s resignation as BCCI treasurer was due to his election to Maharashtra’s Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, Saikia has acknowledged the challenges facing Indian cricket, particularly in red-ball formats.
Addressing India’s recent losses in Test series against New Zealand and Australia, Saikia emphasized the importance of focusing on immediate goals, such as the upcoming white-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy.
“It is a big challenge because if you see, we are not doing good in Test cricket in the last two series,” Saikia stated.
“We have had a lot of discussions and are trying to streamline; whatever our drawbacks are, we have to overcome them.”
Who is Devajit Saikia?
Hailing from Assam, Saikia’s background combines cricket, law, and administration. As a former cricketer, he played four matches between 1990 and 1991.
Post-cricket, Saikia pursued law, practicing at the Gauhati High Court. He also worked in Northern Frontier Railways and the Reserve Bank of India under sports quotas before stepping into cricket administration.
Saikia’s administrative journey began in 2016 when he became a vice president of the ACA. His leadership as ACA secretary led to significant infrastructural and talent development in Assam cricket.
