The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday, 18 September re-elected Arun Singh Dhumal and M Khairul Jamal Majumdar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council at its 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the board's headquarters in Mumbai. With no rival nominations filed for either seat, both candidates secured a clear run to their posts, ensuring administrative continuity in the IPL's top decision-making body.

Uncontested Re-elections

Dhumal, seeking another term as IPL Chairman, and Majumdar, representing the Indian Cricketers' Association (ICA), were confirmed after BCCI Electoral Officer A.K. Joti validated the final list of nominations following scrutiny. The absence of competing candidates meant the outcome was a formality, though the formal process reinforced the legitimacy of both appointments under the board's constitutional framework.

Pay Raise for Domestic Umpires and Match Referees

In one of the AGM's more substantive policy moves, the general body unanimously approved a revised payment structure and grade reclassification for domestic umpires and match referees. Details of the revised pay bands were not immediately disclosed, but the move signals the BCCI's stated intention to professionalise the officiating ecosystem at the domestic level — an area that has historically lagged behind the investment poured into players and coaches.

Financial Resolutions and Administrative Business

The board formally adopted its audited statement of accounts for the 2025-26 financial year and approved the annual budget for 2026-27, while appointing auditors for the upcoming fiscal cycle. These are routine but constitutionally mandatory actions at every AGM, providing financial oversight of the world's richest cricket board.

IPL at 20: Celebrations Planned for 2027 and BCCI Centenary in 2028

The general body resolved to mark the 20th edition of the IPL in 2027 with grand celebrations, and separately committed to preparations for the BCCI's centenary in 2028. According to a board statement, the centenary events will span a full year, beginning in December 2027 and running through 2028. This is the first time the board has formally outlined the timeline for both milestone events.

Policy Updates: POSH Committee and Age Verification

On the policy front, the AGM constituted a new Internal Committee under the BCCI's Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Policy, and officially adopted an updated Age Verification Policy. The general body also held discussions with state associations to improve support infrastructure for differently-abled cricketers, with a focus on facility upgrades and targeted resource allocation.

Who Was in the Room

BCCI President Mithun Manhas, Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, Board Secretary Devajit Saikia, along with Sourav Ganguly, Saurabh Tiwary, Jaydev Shah, Rohan Jaitley, and Abhishek Dalmiya were among the prominent figures present. Ganguly attended as representative of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), while former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad represented the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The meeting drew wide participation from state association delegates across the country.

With the IPL's 20th edition and the BCCI's centenary year now on the official calendar, the board's next set of decisions will likely centre on expanding the league's global footprint and locking down the institutional framework for its landmark seasons ahead.