In an announcement that reverberated through the corridors of cricketing power, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled plans for its Annual General Meeting (AGM), slated to be held on September 25 in the serene confines of Goa. Within this critical gathering, a pivotal resolution shall center on the appointment of three distinguished members to the hallowed Governing Council of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While subtly alluded to within the AGM’s ambit, veiled discussions may also swirl around potential alterations to the selection committee.
A missive emanating from BCCI’s secretary, Jay Shah, illuminated the path forward. It stated, “Notice is hereby given that the 92nd Annual General Meeting (hereinafter referred to as AGM) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”) will be held at W Hotel – Goa on 25th September 2023, to transact the business as per the attached agenda. The time of the AGM will be communicated at a later date.
Shah has meticulously delineated an 18-point agenda for this momentous AGM, with salient points, Items B and C, occupying a preeminent position:
B. Election and induction of 2 (two) representatives of the General Body into the Governing Council of the IPL.
C. Induction of 1 (one) representative of the Indian Cricketers’ Association into the Governing Council of the IPL.
Presently, the General Body finds representation in the form of Arun Singh Dhumal (chairman) and Avishek Dalmiya (member), whereas the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) is singularly represented by Pragyan Ojha. However, the looming question remains whether new luminaries shall be ushered into this august council, perhaps, catalyzed by the advent of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), or if modifications are contemplated within the existing echelons. It is noteworthy that Secretary Shah, Treasurer Ashish Shelar, and CAG member CM Sane constitute the remainder of the Governing Council.
Of intriguing note is the omission of any explicit mention regarding potential alterations to the senior men’s selection committee. This development comes against the backdrop of the elevation of Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of the committee, accompanied by selector Salil Ankola, both hailing from Mumbai, without representation from the North Zone. Speculations have thus arisen, suggesting that course corrections may be discussed and potentially implemented at the AGM.
Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope for such discussions arises through the agenda’s point pertaining to the reconstitution of the selection committee, succinctly stated as:
K. Appointment of the Cricket Committees and Standing Committees as mentioned in Rules 26 and 25, respectively.
Rule 26 encompasses the formation of selection committees across formats, spanning men, women, and junior teams, while Rule 25 delves into the composition of tournament committees.
Furthermore, a crucial juncture shall materialize in the form of the BCCI’s representative nomination to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and allied international entities, such as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Notably, Jay Shah is poised to step into these distinguished roles. Agenda Item J converges on the appointment of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.
Historically, significant matters have found their resolution under the shroud of an inconspicuous agenda item, succinctly titled, “Consideration of any business that the President may deem necessary to include in the agenda,” denoted as item Q. It is within this elusive realm that substantial decisions may come to fruition.
The AGM beckons, with 38 members constituting the General Body, all duly apprised of the impending assembly.
