BCCI appoints Rahul Johri its first ever CEO

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed former Discovery Networks Asia Pacific's Executive Vice-President Rahul Johri as its first ever chief executive officer (CEO). The post never existed in the BCCI, and was one of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee in its report, which came out in January.

Hence the BCCI has roped in an experienced administrator, who reportedly has around 20 years of media experience, for the high-profile post. The committee wanted the BCCI to separate its governance and management duties. Johri will be in charge of the BCCI's management from the day he assumes office, which is June 1. Johri will be based out of Mumbai.

Johri's inclusion in the BCCI is expected to help bring accountability in the way the board is governed. Johri will be assisted by six managers, reported Wisden India. The BCCI hierarchy will hope the cricket board functions smoothly under him.

Johri will be reporting to BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, who has wished him luck for the job.

"We welcome Rahul aboard and wish him luck for his new role at BCCI. In the past one year, BCCI has undertaken various initiatives aimed towards transforming the working of BCCI in order to make the functioning more robust. This endeavour is another initiative of the board aimed in the same direction and will mark as one more milestone towards strengthening the professional working of the BCCI," Thakur was quoted as saying in a BCCI statement.

Despite having huge experience in the media industry, Johri might find this post a challenging one, but the CEO is reportedly keen on serving cricket fans of India to the best of his abilities.

"I am honoured at the opportunity to serve millions of Indian cricket fans. It will be my utmost endeavour to contribute to the Indian cricket. I am thankful to the president and honorary secretary of the BCCI for bestowing such faith in me. I look forward to everyone's support to fulfil this tremendous responsibility," Johri said.