Ajinkya Naik Secures Second Term as MCA President Unopposed
In a significant development for Mumbai cricket, Ajinkya Naik has been re-elected as the president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) without facing any opposition. The political landscape shifted dramatically on Monday when all seven other presidential candidates withdrew their nominations, paving the way for Naik's uncontested victory.
Seven Candidates Withdraw from Presidential Race
The withdrawal process saw some of Mumbai's most prominent cricket and political figures stepping aside. Among those who withdrew their candidature were former India women's team captain Diana Edulji, Bharatiya Janata Party MLC Prasad Lad, and several MCA Apex Council members including Jitendra Awhad and Milind Narvekar.
Edulji, explaining her decision to withdraw, stated: "I withdrew my candidature in the interest of continuity." This sentiment appeared to resonate across the political spectrum, with candidates from various parties opting to support Naik's leadership.
The upcoming MCA elections on November 12 will now feature contests for all other positions except the presidential post. The vice-presidential election will see a direct contest between Awhad and independent candidate Naveen Shetty, while the secretary's position will be contested by Shahalam Shaikh and former MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar.
Naik's Vision for Mumbai Cricket
Speaking to Times of India on Monday, Naik expressed his commitment to grassroots cricket development. "My heart lies in Maidan Cricket — I will work for every player, every club, and for the bright future of Mumbai cricket," he emphasized, repeating his dedication to ensure the message was clear.
Naik's cricket administration journey includes serving as MCA president since July 2024, when he assumed the role following the untimely death of previous president Amol Kale. His extensive experience within the association includes:
- MCA Secretary from 2022 to 2024
- MCA Apex Council member from 2019 to 2022
- Overseeing significant infrastructure developments
Notable Achievements During Previous Term
During his initial tenure as MCA president, Naik presided over several landmark initiatives that enhanced Mumbai's cricket infrastructure and celebrated its rich heritage. Key accomplishments include:
The association unveiled the Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum and installed life-size statues of cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and former ICC, BCCI, and MCA president Sharad Pawar. More recently, Naik announced plans to build a life-size statue of former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar at the Wankhede Stadium.
Known as a young and popular administrator, Naik has introduced several reforms and taken proactive steps to boost the MCA's image and operational efficiency.
Other Key Appointments
In related developments, Rajdip Gupta has been elected as the MCA's new Mumbai T20 League chairman. Gupta, who runs the historic National Cricket Club at Cross Maidan, brings substantial cricket franchise experience to the role. He owns the Chennai Singams in the Indian Street Premier League and the North Mumbai Panthers in the Mumbai T20 league.
The unanimous support for Naik's presidency signals a period of stability and continuity for Mumbai cricket administration, with stakeholders apparently confident in his ability to steer the association toward a prosperous future.
