Dalmiya may be appointed Patron-In-Chief

In an unprecedented move, Jagmohan Dalmiya may be appointed the Patron-In-Chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, once his three-year term as president of the Indian board ends in September. The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) put forth this suggestion and it is likely to get the backing of many more state associations, reports The Indian Express.

According to Clause 8 of the Memorandum rules and regulations, "The Board may invite in its discretion distinguished persons to be Patron-in-Chief or Patrons of the Board." This will be the first time this clause is invoked in the 75-year history of the BCCI.

Speaking to Wisden Cricinfo, the president of the ACA, Bikash Barua said, "Mr Dalmiya has been a very active part of the board. He has shown in the past that he is willing to fight for Indian cricket on the international stage. He did it before the last World Cup and has done it on numerous occasions. He is a very efficient man."

Barua also confirmed that a few other associations had come forward to support this proposal. "The Bihar and Goa cricket associations have also shown their eagerness to support us. Since Dalmiya is from East Zone, we have to support him. He is extremely dynamic."

The final decision is likely to be known by the third week of September. If Dalmiya gets the post, it may directly lead to him being India's permanent representative at the International Cricket Council.