Rajiv Shukla Assumes Interim Presidency of BCCI Following Roger Binny's Disqualification
Roger Binny Steps Down as BCCI President
Roger Binny, the former all-rounder and 1983 World Cup champion, has stepped down from his role as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Reports indicate that Rajiv Shukla has taken over as the interim president, leading the Apex Council meeting held in Mumbai on August 28.
Binny, who was elected as BCCI president in 2022, succeeded Sourav Ganguly. However, his position became uncertain after he reached the age limit of 70 years set by the BCCI's constitution, which is approved by the Supreme Court. Binny celebrated his 70th birthday in July, and according to the rules, any official exceeding this age must vacate their role immediately.
Rajiv Shukla Takes Charge
As reported by a local news outlet, Rajiv Shukla, who previously served as the IPL chairman from 2015 to 2020, chaired the Apex Council meeting as the interim leader. Binny's absence from the meeting confirmed the leadership transition. Shukla is expected to serve in this capacity until the next elections scheduled for September.
During the meeting, the council discussed the urgent need to find a new title sponsor for Team India, following Dream11's withdrawal after the Indian government's ban on online gaming due to the Promotion and Regulations of Online Gaming Bill 2025.
BCCI's Urgent Sponsorship Search
With the Asia Cup set to commence on September 9, and Team India facing the UAE in their title defense on September 10, the BCCI is under pressure to secure a new title sponsor quickly. The board is racing against time to finalize a deal before the tournament begins.
Dream11 had a lucrative three-year contract worth INR 358 crore with the BCCI, generating INR 119 crore annually. The recent passage of the Online Gaming Bill has led to the termination of this partnership, creating a significant revenue gap that the BCCI must address promptly to avoid financial and branding challenges ahead of the Asia Cup.
Future of Roger Binny at BCCI
The future of Roger Binny within the BCCI remains unclear following his automatic disqualification due to the age limit. The Indian government has recently introduced the National Sports Governance Bill, which permits officials in all sports federations to serve until the age of 75.
However, since this bill has not yet been enacted, the current BCCI constitution remains applicable, preventing Binny from running for president unless the bill is implemented before the upcoming elections. The BCCI is set to hold its Annual General Meeting in September, where a new president will be elected, effectively sidelining Binny's immediate return unless the legislation is expedited.