BCCI president Roger Binny disqualified by board constitution but might not vacate office as confusion reigns supreme

Roger Binny's 70th birthday raises questions about his BCCI presidency due to constitutional age limits. Rajeev Shukla may step in temporarily.

Roger Binny, the incumbent president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), turned 70 on July 19, triggering uncertainty over his continuation in the role due to the age limit specified in the BCCI constitution. As per the Supreme Court-approved constitution, any office-bearer who turns 70 is disqualified from holding the post.

BCCI president Roger Binny

This development has brought BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla into focus as the likely interim successor. However, with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September, sources close to Binny suggest he may continue in a caretaker capacity until then without signing any official documents.

Adding a layer of complexity is the proposed National Sports Bill, expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. The BCCI does not function on government grant but as it is a part of the National Sports Federation (NSF), it is expected to come under the Bill's provisions.

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What is the National Sports Bill? How can it help Roger Binny?

According to a PTI report, Binny will discuss the matter with current secretary Devajit Saikia and the legal department about his future. According to the proposed National Sports Bill, if someone aged 69 years and 364 days on the date of nomination, if elected for any office bearer's post, can continue their full term beyond the age of 70 once the bill comes into effect. While Binny, on Saturday, completed 70 years, he can have at least another three-year term if not five, obviously with a rider.

Despite this potential reprieve, the BCCI has not issued an official statement. Top officials are currently returning from Singapore after attending the ICC Annual Conference. Internal discussions within the BCCI have reportedly considered the pros and cons of installing Shukla as interim president for two months or waiting for the Sports Bill to take effect.

There is also a viewpoint within the BCCI that the president's role should ideally be held by a former India cricketer, as was the case with Binny and his predecessor, Sourav Ganguly. This sentiment may influence the final decision regarding Binny's future.

Binny, who recently returned from London after attending the Lord’s Test, is currently vacationing in Thailand with his family. He has yet to make a public comment on the matter. Sources indicate he is expected to consult with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and the board’s legal department to decide on the next steps.

With the Sports Bill likely to override existing federation constitutions, the final word on Binny's presidency may hinge on the timing and content of the bill's passage in Parliament.