Roger Binny, the current president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), turned 70 on July 19. As per the BCCI’s constitution, approved by the Supreme Court, any office-bearer crossing the age of 70 becomes ineligible to hold the position. This rule has now thrown Binny’s future into question and sparked speculation about the next steps for Indian cricket’s top governing body.
Will Rajeev Shukla Step In Temporarily?
With the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla is being considered as a temporary replacement. However, sources close to Binny suggest he may continue in a caretaker role without signing any official documents until the AGM is held.
Adding to the uncertainty is the upcoming National Sports Bill, expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. If passed, the bill may allow office-bearers of national sports federations to continue till the age of 75, giving Binny a chance to retain his position—assuming the ICC’s rules do not conflict.
Sports Bill Could Offer Binny a Lifeline
The new bill, proposed by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, includes a clause that permits people aged between 70 and 75 to hold office, provided the sports body’s by-laws do not prohibit it. If implemented, it could allow Binny to stay on for another full term, especially since the ICC has no current age cap.
Reports suggest that Binny will soon meet with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and the board’s legal team to discuss his options. For now, the BCCI has made no official comment, and several top officials are just returning from the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore.
There is also ongoing debate within the BCCI about whether the role of president should continue to be held by a former Indian cricketer. This tradition began with Sourav Ganguly and continued with Binny.
Roger Binny is currently on a family vacation in Thailand and has not issued any public statement. The situation remains unclear, but the final outcome may depend heavily on the timing of the Sports Bill’s passage in Parliament.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Cricket updates!
