Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept.19: The proposed entry of the Cricket Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands into the BCCI fold remained unresolved after the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, with the bid for affiliate membership deferred amid legal issues.
The Andaman and Nicobar membership was among the matters listed for consideration at the BCCI’s 95th AGM. The issue was ultimately kept pending, according to reports following the meeting. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said a fresh legal development had made the matter sub judice.
The development leaves the Islands’ proposed association membership without a final resolution from the board. The membership matter had been placed before the General Body after consideration by the BCCI’s Apex Council. A committee comprising Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia and IPL Governing Council member Khairul Majumdar had examined the issue and submitted a recommendation, which the Apex Council approved before the AGM, according to Saikia.
However, a representation from another entity that had not been granted affiliation was received shortly before the AGM. Saikia said the entity had approached the Bombay High Court through an interlocutory application, following which the matter was kept pending because of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Andaman and Nicobar issue was discussed alongside several major administrative matters at the AGM, including decisions concerning the men’s selection committees. BCCI office bearers were authorised to take decisions relating to the senior and junior men’s selection committees, but the meeting did not settle the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Agarkar’s current contract runs until October 2026. If the BCCI decides not to continue with him, the board’s standard procedure would involve inviting applications through a public advertisement and interviewing candidates. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has emerged as a potential contender, according to the report.
The AGM also re-elected Arun Singh Dhumal and M Khairul Jamal Majumdar to the IPL Governing Council. The General Body approved enhanced payments for domestic umpires and match referees, while the BCCI also adopted its updated Age Verification Policy and formed a new Internal Committee under its Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
For Andaman and Nicobar, however, the immediate outcome is a further wait on the proposed BCCI affiliation as the legal issue remains pending.
