With the speculations high over the future of Jay Shah in cricket administration, a pertinent question that comes up is who will be the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). With Shah reportedly being a strong candidate for ICC Chairman and having the backing of all but one of the 16 ICC Board members, there is immense uncertainty over what his next step is going to be. Shah's tenure as BCCI Secretary ends in October 2025. If he were to leave the BCCI ahead of his term to take up the ICC position, his departure would create a significant vacuum in the leadership of the BCCI. With August 27 as the last date for filing nominations for ICC chairmanship and the new chairman taking charge on December 1, the BCCI has to take a call soon for a successor in case Shah decides to make the transition. Top Contenders for BCCI Secretary Names that crop up instantly as the likely successor to Jay Shah are some seasoned cricket administrators who bring with them bundles of experience and the requisite political connections for such a demanding role. Here's a closer look at the top contenders: Rajiv Shukla Image Source: Scroll The first name that comes up in the list of probables is that of Rajiv Shukla, currently the BCCI Vice-President. With Shukla comes the rich experience of a seasoned politician who is also a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha, thereby bringing together, uniquely, political acumen and experience in cricket administration. Again, since the role of a BCCI vice-president has largely been Honorary in nature, being more of a rubber-stamp arrangement, increasing Shukla to the secretaryship would give him more high-profile tasks whereby he could bring to bear his political acumen in fending off the intricate machinations within Indian cricket. If the BCCI goes by continuity and experience, Shukla could turn out to be an excellent candidate to succeed Jay Shah. Ashish Shelar Image Source: T20 Mumbai One of the favorites for the job is Ashish Shelar, the incumbent BCCI Treasurer, who happens to be a heavyweight in Maharashtra BJP political circles. Shelar has also had decent experience in cricket administration with the Mumbai Cricket Association. Though the BCCI Secretary's job is high profile, time-consuming and demanding Shelar's political heft and administrative experience make him a suitable candidate. His diversified involvement over the years in high-profile roles makes him a strong contender to replace Jay Shah as the BCCI Secretary – see options. Also Read | Top 5 Most Beautiful Female Cricketers in The World Arun Dhumal Image Source: Circle of Cricket Another candidate whose credentials can make him step into Shah's role is Arun Dhumal, currently the Chairman of the Indian Premier League. He has previously been a BCCI Treasurer, so this adds to his experience in cricket administration. He has already shown he is capable of managing one of the most lucrative cricket leagues in the world—the IPL. He could be asked to take over as Secretary and use that experience and expertise to ensure that the BCCI goes on to stable leadership.Devajit 'Lon' Saikia While Devajit Saikia may not be a known name amongst the masses as the Joint Secretary of BCCI, he is like a vital organ within the BCCI administration. The experience he brings and the current position he holds are good enough to make him a top contender for elevation. Having been part of the BCCI operations, he has gathered enough experience regarding the functioning of the board, which might just be very critical if the BCCI looks for continuity and stability. Emerging Young Leaders of Cricket Administration Though natural advantages are with the more established names, BCCI can also contemplate introducing some younger cricket administrators; this should exude the modernness and futurism that is a dire requirement. Amongst the emerging leaders of cricket administration, some names have already caught attention, notably: Rohan Jaitley Image Source: Rediff Currently serving as the President of Delhi & Districts Cricket Association, Rohan Jaitley has also shown his mettle in one of India's most influential cricketing bodies. His youth, coupled with his administrative experience, would bring a lot of freshness to BCCI's functioning. Having shown what an incumbent can do at the DDCA level, he could well do enough for a national role; his name could be considered in regard to who will be the BCCI Secretary after Jay Shah. Also Read | T20 World Cup Winners | Complete List of Champions (2007-2024) Avishek Dalmiya Image Source: The Sports Grail The current Vice-President of the BCCI, Avishek Dalmiya, also happens to be from a very strong cricket administration background, as he is the son of late Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former President of both BCCI and ICC. He carries forward that legacy and understands the know-how of cricket administration to a level which could be valuable at the national level. His working in the CAB has showcased his efficiency in handling a major cricketing association, which at times makes him a potential candidate to take on greater responsibilities. Other Prominent Young Administrators The other noted young administrators are Punjab's Dilsher Khanna, Goa's Vipul Phadke, and Chhattisgarh's Prabhtej Bhatia. Having been a former Governing Council member of the IPL, Bhatia's ability to handle administrative duties is already proven. Though these names may not be as high profile as those mentioned above, they happen to be the future of cricket administration in the country and could prove to be strong contenders if the BCCI ever decides to take a more progressive route. Surprise in Store While the above names come as the obvious choices, it is the BCCI, and one never knows when a new face pops out of the hat. It will be a shocker if some completely new face turns up, more so if Jay Shah indeed goes to the ICC. A former BCCI Secretary explained that while the core positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer are usually handed to known names, surprises can happen. Complicated power play in the BCCI at times pushes unexpected people to the helm and keeps the landscape of Indian cricket administration dynamic and full of surprises. Jay Shah's Decision Will Shape the Future Ultimately, the call as to who will be Jay Shah's successor as secretary of the BCCI lies in what career path Shah chooses for himself. If Shah decides to stay within the BCCI, there might not be a change in the current leadership structure. However, if he decides to take up ICC Chairmanship, the BCCI will have to move fast to have a smooth transition of power. Be it a seasoned politician like Shukla, experienced administrator like Dhumal, or a promising young leader like Jaitley, his successor will have big shoes to fill, for he would be replacing one of the most powerful cricket administrators of recent times. What transpires in the next few days will not only define the future of Indian cricket but will have far-reaching implications on its influence within the global cricket fraternity as well, as the world waits with bated breath to see who takes over the mantle from Jay Shah as BCCI Secretary. Also Read | Top 5 Most Expensive Uncapped Indian Players in IPL History