Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian off-spinner, is poised to potentially take on a significant role in cricket administration. The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has nominated him as its official representative for the upcoming Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September 28. This nomination places him in contention for a post within the BCCI.

The AGM is particularly significant this year, as the BCCI will conduct fresh elections for key positions, including President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Treasurer. Elections will also be held for one Apex Council member and two positions on the IPL Governing Council. The deadline for state associations to nominate their representatives was September 12.

Harbhajan's nomination marks his formal entry into national cricket governance, though he previously served as an advisor to the PCA. A member of the Rajya Sabha affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party, Harbhajan brings extensive cricketing experience, including 417 wickets in 103 Tests and participation in India's 2011 World Cup-winning squad.

Harbhajan Singh won't be the only prominent former cricketer at the AGM. Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and ex-BCCI President, has been nominated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Ganguly served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022. Other notable nominations include Raghuram Bhatt from Karnataka, Sanjay Naik from Mumbai, Arun Dhumal from Himachal Pradesh, Rajeev Shukla from Uttar Pradesh, Jaydev Shah from Saurashtra, and Pranav Amin from Baroda.

With the BCCI presidency vacant since Roger Binny stepped down due to the age mandate, and the Indian cricket board reportedly seeking former players for administrative roles, Harbhajan's nomination has fueled speculation about his potential candidacy for a key position. While Sachin Tendulkar has denied interest, Harbhajan has not yet clarified his stance, adding to the speculation. Some reports suggest that former Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More is also a potential candidate for BCCI President.

The nomination window for candidates is open from September 20 to 21, with elections scheduled for September 28. The scrutiny of nominations will occur on September 22, and candidates can withdraw their nominations by September 23, after which the final list of contestants will be announced. The election and counting are scheduled for September 28.

The presence of accomplished sportspersons like Ganguly and potentially Harbhajan aligns with a perceived preference within the ruling BJP, which is known to wield considerable influence over the BCCI, for prominent former players to hold top positions in sports bodies. The coming weeks will reveal the extent of Harbhajan Singh's interest and potential role within the BCCI.