Still a year to go for changes: Niranjan Shah

Niranjan Shah played 12 first-class matches for Saurashtra but it is his three-decade long BCCI stint in different capacities that makes him the person in the news. He has ruled the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) for nearly 43 years, and currently as secretary , it is his writ that runs in the cricketing affairs of the region.

However, this may change soon after the SC's age cap of 70 years for BCCI office-bearers. This means Shah, now 72, can no longer continue with his cricket administrator's responsibilities.

Shah, however, was unperturbed by the developments. "Yes, I am a bit disappointed but will respect the court's verdict. If I have to retire then, why not?" he said. "But age discrimination is not a good thing. It is not there anywhere in the world," he told TOI. When asked about his future plans, he said he was not worried. "Koi chinta nathi (there is nothing to worry about). There is still a lot of time before the verdict is implemented. The BCCI will first implement it and then turn to the states. I think we still have a year to go," he said.

So, will we see his son and Saurashtra Ranji team skipper Jaydev Shah taking over the reins?

"It is up to him," he said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, the secretary of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) Rajesh Patel told TOI that two of his association's five vice-presidents -Kanti Desai of Valsad and Kanahiya Contractor of Surat -are also over 70 years. "As of now, all I can say is that there is no problem in Amit Shah continuing as GCA president."