It will be a new era in the International Cricket Council (ICC) administration starting December 1 as India’s Jay Shah will officially take charge as the new Chairman of the Board. As announced on Tuesday (Aug 27), Shah will succeed Greg Barclay in a two-year term which could come as bad news for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and their ambitions to host the Champions Trophy. The feature ICC tournament is set to take place in Pakistan in February and March 2025, but now the equations could change massively.

<h2>Why Shah’s rise is bad news for PCB?</h2>

As revealed in the past, Shah, the youngest ICC Chairman at 35 has an anti-Pakistan stand and was reluctant to send the Indian team to Pakistan during the 2023 Asia Cup. While in charge as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Shah’s stand to not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 saw the tournament held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka being chosen as co-host for India’s matches including final.

If the same stand continues for the upcoming Champions Trophy, India won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This could see the coveted tournament either held in a hybrid model or completely outside Pakistan.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis/news-us-open-2024-carlos-alcaraz-crashes-out-with-shock-defeat-to-botic-van-de-zandschulp-in-second-round-754503">US Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz crashes out in shock defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in second round</a>

The ICC in the coming days will have the ball in their court to decide the fate of the tournament, but with Shah in charge, the decision will likely favour India. If this is the case, Pakistan could lose out on a huge chunk of matches being hosted in their land or could even completely miss the tournament. This will mean PCB will miss out on income generated through ticket sales while other host nations will also get a chunk of the income.

India has&nbsp;not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup with Test cricket also on suspension. Not since December 2007 have the two nations hosted a Test series with diplomatic relations also enduring high friction.

It will be a new era in the International Cricket Council (ICC) administration starting December 1 as India’s Jay Shah will officially take charge as the new Chairman of the Board.

It will be a new era in the International Cricket Council (ICC) administration starting December 1 as India’s Jay Shah will officially take charge as the new Chairman of the Board. As announced on Tuesday (Aug 27), Shah will succeed Greg Barclay in a two-year term which could come as bad news for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and their ambitions to host the Champions Trophy. The feature ICC tournament is set to take place in Pakistan in February and March 2025, but now the equations could change massively. Why Shah’s rise is bad news for PCB? As revealed in the past, Shah, the youngest ICC Chairman at 35 has an anti-Pakistan stand and was reluctant to send the Indian team to Pakistan during the 2023 Asia Cup. While in charge as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Shah’s stand to not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 saw the tournament held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka being chosen as co-host for India’s matches including final. If the same stand continues for the upcoming Champions Trophy, India won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This could see the coveted tournament either held in a hybrid model or completely outside Pakistan. ALSO READ | US Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz crashes out in shock defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in second round The ICC in the coming days will have the ball in their court to decide the fate of the tournament, but with Shah in charge, the decision will likely favour India. If this is the case, Pakistan could lose out on a huge chunk of matches being hosted in their land or could even completely miss the tournament. This will mean PCB will miss out on income generated through ticket sales while other host nations will also get a chunk of the income. India has not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup with Test cricket also on suspension. Not since December 2007 have the two nations hosted a Test series with diplomatic relations also enduring high friction.

Why Jay Shah's rise as ICC Chairman could be bad news for Pakistan's ambition to host Champions Trophy

India’s Jay Shah could become the leading candidate for the post of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman&nbsp;after current head Greg Barclay withdrew from the race on Tuesday (Aug 20). Shah, the current Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) could become the new chairman if he files a nomination in the coming days. Shah is yet to comment on his stance but with Barclay withdrawing, the Indian administrator remains a firm favourite as the deadline for filing nominations closes on Tuesday (Aug 27).

<h2>Shah to contest elections after Barclay withdraws?</h2>

"ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022," the ICC stated in a media release.

“Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/icc-changes-2024-womens-t20-world-cup-venue-from-bangladesh-to-uae-751718">ICC changes 2024 Women's T20 World Cup venue from Bangladesh to UAE</a>

Speculations are high that Shah could file his nominations before the weekend as he intends to take charge of the apex cricketing body in the world. Unlike the BCCI President, where a candidate must have played international cricket, ICC does not have specific criteria making Shah eligible for the chairman’s position. The role of the chairman is to chair the directors of the ICC during its meeting with equal power given to members after the President’s position was abolished in 2016.

Shah, if he files nomination before the deadline of Aug 27 and becomes the chairman of the ICC will join the likes of Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) to have worked in the top office of the ICC. Both Dalmiya and Pawar were the Presidents of the ICC when the term existed.

India’s Jay Shah could become the leading candidate for the post of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman after current head Greg Barclay withdrew from the race on Tuesday (Aug 20).

India’s Jay Shah could become the leading candidate for the post of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman after current head Greg Barclay withdrew from the race on Tuesday (Aug 20). Shah, the current Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) could become the new chairman if he files a nomination in the coming days. Shah is yet to comment on his stance but with Barclay withdrawing, the Indian administrator remains a firm favourite as the deadline for filing nominations closes on Tuesday (Aug 27). Shah to contest elections after Barclay withdraws? "ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022," the ICC stated in a media release. “Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.” ALSO READ | ICC changes 2024 Women's T20 World Cup venue from Bangladesh to UAE Speculations are high that Shah could file his nominations before the weekend as he intends to take charge of the apex cricketing body in the world. Unlike the BCCI President, where a candidate must have played international cricket, ICC does not have specific criteria making Shah eligible for the chairman’s position. The role of the chairman is to chair the directors of the ICC during its meeting with equal power given to members after the President’s position was abolished in 2016. Shah, if he files nomination before the deadline of Aug 27 and becomes the chairman of the ICC will join the likes of Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) to have worked in the top office of the ICC. Both Dalmiya and Pawar were the Presidents of the ICC when the term existed.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah likely to contest ICC Chairman elections after Greg Barclay withdraws

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah has announced monetary compensation to groundsmen and curators at all Indian Premier League (IPL) venues for their consistent hard work throughout the two-month-long tournament.

Shah took to social media to make the announcement, a day after the IPL final where Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious for the third time, beating SunRisers Hyderabad in a one-sided contest.&nbsp;

"The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions," said Shah.&nbsp;

"As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25 lakhs ($30,000) each, and the same at the 3 additional venues will get INR 10 lakhs ($12,000) each. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!" he added.

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The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions. As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25…
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayShah/status/1794961768453906867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In the annals of the history books, IPL 2024 will be regarded as the season when cricket as a sport witnessed a paradigm shift. Scoring records tumbled at nearly every venue as teams belted scores above 200 on a scale previously unseen.&nbsp;

SRH scored the highest team score in the 17-year history of IPL by smashing 287 for 3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In reply, RCB smashed 262 and lost the match by only 25 runs.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2024-andre-russell-in-tears-after-kkr-title-triumph-talks-about-mental-health-struggle-725688">Also read |&nbsp;IPL 2024: Andre Russell in tears after KKR title triumph, opens up about mental health struggles</a>

A total of 1260 sixes were hit in the tournament - the most in a single season. The 'Impact player sub' rule proved to be the game-changer in its second year of implementation as teams used their ferocious pinch hitters to increase the scoring rate.&nbsp;

Despite the number of matches increasing to 74, the pitches remained consistent and true across the country, allowing for the spectacle to continue without any problem.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Notably, Shah previously earned plaudits in 2022 when he introduced equal pay for men's and women 's cricketers, ensuring pay parity, which the ICC later followed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

List of all the IPL venues

<ol>
	<li>Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Wankhee Stadium, Mumbai 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>M.A. Chidambaram Chepauk Stadium, Chennai 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Eden Garden, Kolkata 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>&nbsp;Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Dr. Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket, Vizag</li>
</ol>

(With inputs from agencies)

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah has announced monetary compensation to groundsmen and curators at all Indian Premier League (IPL) venues for their consistent hard work throughout the two-month-long tournament.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah has announced monetary compensation to groundsmen and curators at all Indian Premier League (IPL) venues for their consistent hard work throughout the two-month-long tournament. Shah took to social media to make the announcement, a day after the IPL final where Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious for the third time, beating SunRisers Hyderabad in a one-sided contest. "The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions," said Shah. "As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25 lakhs ($30,000) each, and the same at the 3 additional venues will get INR 10 lakhs ($12,000) each. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!" he added. The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions. As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25… — Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 27, 2024 × In the annals of the history books, IPL 2024 will be regarded as the season when cricket as a sport witnessed a paradigm shift. Scoring records tumbled at nearly every venue as teams belted scores above 200 on a scale previously unseen. SRH scored the highest team score in the 17-year history of IPL by smashing 287 for 3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In reply, RCB smashed 262 and lost the match by only 25 runs. Also read | IPL 2024: Andre Russell in tears after KKR title triumph, opens up about mental health struggles A total of 1260 sixes were hit in the tournament - the most in a single season. The 'Impact player sub' rule proved to be the game-changer in its second year of implementation as teams used their ferocious pinch hitters to increase the scoring rate. Despite the number of matches increasing to 74, the pitches remained consistent and true across the country, allowing for the spectacle to continue without any problem. Notably, Shah previously earned plaudits in 2022 when he introduced equal pay for men's and women 's cricketers, ensuring pay parity, which the ICC later followed. List of all the IPL venues Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Wankhee Stadium, Mumbai Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad M.A. Chidambaram Chepauk Stadium, Chennai Eden Garden, Kolkata Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Dr. Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket, Vizag (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2024: Lucrative monetary benefit announced for groundsmen and curators by BCCI

Much to the relief for Indian cricket fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rishabh Pant is stable and undergoing scans at Max Hospital, Dehradun following a horrific accident on Friday morning (December 30). The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter was returning to Delhi from Uttarakhand when&nbsp;his car collided with a divider&nbsp;and caught fire. He was driving the Mercedes and was reportedly alone when he somehow managed to get out of the car and was rushed to the hospital.&nbsp;

After the disturbing accident pictures went viral on social media platforms, wishes poured for Pant. Amid all this, Jay Shah confirmed that Pant is stable and out of danger.&nbsp;Shah tweeted, "My thoughts and prayers are with Rishabh Pant as he fights his way back to recovery. I have spoken to his family and the doctors treating him. Rishabh is stable and undergoing scans. We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with all the necessary support."

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My thoughts and prayers are with Rishabh Pant as he fights his way back to recovery. I have spoken to his family and the doctors treating him. Rishabh is stable and undergoing scans. We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with all the necessary support.
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayShah/status/1608705043846565888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bounce-back-rishabh-r-ashwin-virender-sehwag-others-pray-for-pants-speedy-recovery-547911">'Bounce back Rishabh' - R Ashwin, Virender Sehwag &amp; others pray for Pant's speedy recovery</a>

Soon, BCCI's official Twitter handle also shared an update on Pant:

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Media Statement - Rishabh Pant 
 
The BCCI will see to it that Rishabh receives the best possible medical care and gets all the support he needs to come out of this traumatic phase. 
 
Details here 👇👇<a href="https://t.co/NFv6QbdwBD">https://t.co/NFv6QbdwBD</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1608729480272674816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ever since the news broke out, the cricketing fraternity has been wishing for Pant's speedy recovery. The likes of R Ashwin, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Litton Das, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan&nbsp;and many others have been for the 25-year-old's recovery.

Recently, the BCCI selectors had announced India's white-ball squads for the upcoming home series versus Sri Lanka -- starting on January 3 -- where Pant's name was missing. As per reports, he was kept out of the white-ball assignments for him to work on the niggle on his knee and return for the home Tests versus Australia.&nbsp; At present, Pant is stable but nothing can be said about when he will attain full fitness following the accident.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Much to the relief for Indian cricket fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rishabh Pant is stable and undergoing scans at Max Hospital, Dehradun following a horrific accident on Friday morning (December 30).

Much to the relief for Indian cricket fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rishabh Pant is stable and undergoing scans at Max Hospital, Dehradun following a horrific accident on Friday morning (December 30). The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter was returning to Delhi from Uttarakhand when his car collided with a divider and caught fire. He was driving the Mercedes and was reportedly alone when he somehow managed to get out of the car and was rushed to the hospital. After the disturbing accident pictures went viral on social media platforms, wishes poured for Pant. Amid all this, Jay Shah confirmed that Pant is stable and out of danger. Shah tweeted, "My thoughts and prayers are with Rishabh Pant as he fights his way back to recovery. I have spoken to his family and the doctors treating him. Rishabh is stable and undergoing scans. We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with all the necessary support." My thoughts and prayers are with Rishabh Pant as he fights his way back to recovery. I have spoken to his family and the doctors treating him. Rishabh is stable and undergoing scans. We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with all the necessary support. — Jay Shah (@JayShah) December 30, 2022 × Also read: 'Bounce back Rishabh' - R Ashwin, Virender Sehwag & others pray for Pant's speedy recovery Soon, BCCI's official Twitter handle also shared an update on Pant: Media Statement - Rishabh Pant The BCCI will see to it that Rishabh receives the best possible medical care and gets all the support he needs to come out of this traumatic phase. Details here 👇👇https://t.co/NFv6QbdwBD — BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2022 × Ever since the news broke out, the cricketing fraternity has been wishing for Pant's speedy recovery. The likes of R Ashwin, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Litton Das, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan and many others have been for the 25-year-old's recovery. Recently, the BCCI selectors had announced India's white-ball squads for the upcoming home series versus Sri Lanka -- starting on January 3 -- where Pant's name was missing. As per reports, he was kept out of the white-ball assignments for him to work on the niggle on his knee and return for the home Tests versus Australia. At present, Pant is stable but nothing can be said about when he will attain full fitness following the accident. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Rishabh Pant accident: He is stable and undergoing scans, confirms BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a "substantial number" of interlocutory applications, filed by state cricket associations, in the cricket reforms case. But a ruling on continuation of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, and joint secretary Jayesh George, whose terms have got over, was deferred to the next year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has filed an application in the top court, seeking crucial amendments to the Supreme Court-approved constitution, framed by the SC-appointed Lodha Committee.

The court on Wednesday asked the case to be listed in the third week of January.

"A substantial number of applications were disposed by the court today. A large number of cases that were related to funds have become infructuous while the court said that in the state cricket associations where the amicus curiae (Narasimha) had successfully mediated and helped their hold elections, like Karnataka, were also disposed of," Narasimha told IANS after the hearing.

"Only some cases remains, and the court asked these to be listed in the third week of January. The BCCI application seeking amendments to its constitution was not taken up today," he said.

It means that Ganguly, Shah, and George would continue in the chair in 2021, despite their terms having got over the past few months. Interestingly, the BCCI will be having its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on December 24, and Ganguly would chair that meeting, with Shah and George in attendance.

The new BCCI constitution makes it mandatory for its office-bearers -- president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary, and treasurer -- to go into a three-year cooling-off period after being in the chair for six consecutive years, either in the BCCI or its affiliate state associations, or a combination of both.

The person can return for another term of three years after the cooling-off period (a person can be an office-bearer in the BCCI for a maximum of nine years and another nine years in a state association). And this is one of the seven crucial rules, on which the edifice of the new constitution is erected, and which the BCCI wants amended, and that would allow the present office-bearers to continue in the chair.

After being elected BCCI president on October 23 last year, Ganguly had only 278 days to remain as the BCCI chief as his previous tenure at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) was added to his BCCI term (he had joined the CAB as a joint secretary on July 2014). So, his BCCI term effectively ended on July 26, 2020.

Secretary Shah, according to reports published in mainline newspapers in 2013, took over as joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) on September 8, 2013, though he was a GCA executive before that. And he has been associated with the GCA since. So, his tenure, too, has got over some time ago.

George has been a secretary, joint-secretary, and treasurer of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for five years and has completed one year as BCCI joint secretary. In September last year, at the time of KCA elections, he was quoted in newspapers as saying: "I was an office-bearer from June 21, 2013, to July 7, 2018. I still have 11 months to complete the six-year term."

He took a break between July 7, 2018, and September 14, 2019. On September 15, 2019, he became KCA president, a post he relinquished when he became BCCI joint secretary on October 23, 2019. That means he has completed six years continuously as a cricket administrator, excluding the break. Accordingly, he should have gone into cooling off period on September 14.

All three officials are, however, staying put as they are awaiting Supreme Court's directions on their application that seeks to affect seven amendments to the new BCCI constitution that the apex court has approved. Essentially, their bid is to get rid of Rule 45, which makes it mandatory for the BCCI to get all amendments approved by the Supreme Court, amended.

If this single rule is amended, the spirit and soul of the reforms would die an instant death. And the crores of rupees that BCCI has spent on litigation and the seven-and-a-half years that Supreme Court has devoted to this case would go down the drain. If the amendment takes place, the beneficiary would not only be Ganguly, Shah, and George, but all other present and future office-bearers, both at the BCCI and its affiliated state cricket associations.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a "substantial number" of interlocutory applications, filed by state cricket associations, in the cricket reforms case.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a "substantial number" of interlocutory applications, filed by state cricket associations, in the cricket reforms case. But a ruling on continuation of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, and joint secretary Jayesh George, whose terms have got over, was deferred to the next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has filed an application in the top court, seeking crucial amendments to the Supreme Court-approved constitution, framed by the SC-appointed Lodha Committee. The court on Wednesday asked the case to be listed in the third week of January. "A substantial number of applications were disposed by the court today. A large number of cases that were related to funds have become infructuous while the court said that in the state cricket associations where the amicus curiae (Narasimha) had successfully mediated and helped their hold elections, like Karnataka, were also disposed of," Narasimha told IANS after the hearing. "Only some cases remains, and the court asked these to be listed in the third week of January. The BCCI application seeking amendments to its constitution was not taken up today," he said. It means that Ganguly, Shah, and George would continue in the chair in 2021, despite their terms having got over the past few months. Interestingly, the BCCI will be having its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on December 24, and Ganguly would chair that meeting, with Shah and George in attendance. The new BCCI constitution makes it mandatory for its office-bearers -- president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary, and treasurer -- to go into a three-year cooling-off period after being in the chair for six consecutive years, either in the BCCI or its affiliate state associations, or a combination of both. The person can return for another term of three years after the cooling-off period (a person can be an office-bearer in the BCCI for a maximum of nine years and another nine years in a state association). And this is one of the seven crucial rules, on which the edifice of the new constitution is erected, and which the BCCI wants amended, and that would allow the present office-bearers to continue in the chair. After being elected BCCI president on October 23 last year, Ganguly had only 278 days to remain as the BCCI chief as his previous tenure at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) was added to his BCCI term (he had joined the CAB as a joint secretary on July 2014). So, his BCCI term effectively ended on July 26, 2020. Secretary Shah, according to reports published in mainline newspapers in 2013, took over as joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) on September 8, 2013, though he was a GCA executive before that. And he has been associated with the GCA since. So, his tenure, too, has got over some time ago. George has been a secretary, joint-secretary, and treasurer of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for five years and has completed one year as BCCI joint secretary. In September last year, at the time of KCA elections, he was quoted in newspapers as saying: "I was an office-bearer from June 21, 2013, to July 7, 2018. I still have 11 months to complete the six-year term." He took a break between July 7, 2018, and September 14, 2019. On September 15, 2019, he became KCA president, a post he relinquished when he became BCCI joint secretary on October 23, 2019. That means he has completed six years continuously as a cricket administrator, excluding the break. Accordingly, he should have gone into cooling off period on September 14. All three officials are, however, staying put as they are awaiting Supreme Court's directions on their application that seeks to affect seven amendments to the new BCCI constitution that the apex court has approved. Essentially, their bid is to get rid of Rule 45, which makes it mandatory for the BCCI to get all amendments approved by the Supreme Court, amended. If this single rule is amended, the spirit and soul of the reforms would die an instant death. And the crores of rupees that BCCI has spent on litigation and the seven-and-a-half years that Supreme Court has devoted to this case would go down the drain. If the amendment takes place, the beneficiary would not only be Ganguly, Shah, and George, but all other present and future office-bearers, both at the BCCI and its affiliated state cricket associations.

BCCI bosses Sourav Ganguly, Jay Shah to continue as Supreme Court lists next hearing in January