The Board of Control for Cricket in India has elected its new secretary. Devjit Saikia's name has been announced for this post. BCCI officially announced his name after a Special General Meeting (SGM) on Sunday, January 12. According to the constitution of the board, there was 45 days time to fill this vacant post, for which elections were held. Saikia filed his nomination for the post of Secretary. However, no other candidate stood before him, after which he has now been formally elected unopposed. This is considered to be the most powerful post in BCCI, the command of which will now be with Saikia. Let us tell you that in December 2024, Jai Shah became the ICC chairperson. After that Saikia was made the interim secretary. Therefore, his name was considered fixed for this post. On the other hand, Prabhtej Bhatia has been elected treasurer.

Have played cricket for Assam

Devjit Saikia, about 56 years old, was born in April 1969 in Guwahati, Assam. Saikia grew up in Guwahati. He is also known as 'Lon'. Saikia himself has been a first class cricketer. He also played 4 matches in Ranji Trophy for Assam in the 1990-91 season. He was a wicketkeeper and also batted in the middle order. Later he also became the Secretary of Assam Cricket Association. He is also the General Secretary of Guwahati Sports Association. Not only this, he has also been the Advocate General of Assam.

Devjit Saikia first got recognition in cricket in 1984 at the junior level through the most important tournament of BCCI, CK Nayudu Trophy. After this, he scored unbeaten 55 runs in the debut match for Assam Under-15 team in Vijay Merchant Trophy. Then in 1987, Saikia made a place in the senior East Zone team by scoring a brilliant century against Odisha in the Under-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy and was seen playing with star players like Sourav Ganguly. Then in 1989 he made his debut in Ranji Trophy and played 4 matches.

However, he left professional cricket at the age of just 21 to complete his studies. After this, he completed his law studies and started practicing as an advocate in Gauhati High Court in 1997. In 2021, Saikia was appointed Advocate General of Assam and became the youngest person to hold this post.

How did you decide on the journey of becoming BCCI Secretary?

Even though Saikia was away from cricket action on the field, his love for cricket did not end and he made his place in cricket administration from the local level itself. In 2014, he achieved success in the court against the ongoing corruption in Assam Cricket Association (ACA). After this, in 2016 he became the Vice President of ACA. Then in 2019, Saikia became the Secretary of ACA for the first time and from here in 2022, he was elected Joint Secretary in BCCI.

Saikia was acting as BCCI secretary in the interim after Jay Shah took over as ICC chairperson in December 2024. According to the constitution of the board, if any post becomes vacant, it has to be filled within 45 days and elections are held for this. This time also the same process was adopted and Saikia filed nomination for the post of Secretary. However, no other candidate stood before him, so on January 12, he will be formally elected secretary unopposed.