Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra passes away at 84 — remembering the administrator who reshaped Indian cricket with vision.
Inderjit Singh Bindra, the visionary administrator who reshaped Indian cricket’s global footprint, passed away at 84 in New Delhi on January 25. A retired IAS officer and former BCCI president, Bindra’s death marks the end of an era for a man whose foresight brought the World Cup to India, built lasting infrastructure, and elevated Punjab cricket to new heights.
Bindra’s BCCI presidency from 1993 to 1996 was transformative. Alongside Jagmohan Dalmiya, he unlocked the board’s financial might by pioneering TV rights sales, turning BCCI into a “money-churning behemoth.” But his legacy shines brightest in hosting mega-events. With NKP Salve and Dalmiya, Bindra orchestrated the 1987 Reliance World Cup, co-hosted by India and Pakistan, the first outside England, breaking the Anglo-Australian stranglehold.
Bindra’s diplomatic skills came to the fore when he facilitated Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq’s visit to India for the Jaipur Test between India and Pakistan in February 1987. The context for this invitation stemmed from a period of extreme military tension between the two neighbours, which led to security concerns in England and Australia for a visit to the World Cup being held in the sub-continent later that year. The Pakistan President’s visit to Jaipur for the Test match between India & Pakistan in early 1987, and subsequent meeting with India’s Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, helped allay fears in England & Australia for participation in the World Cup later that year.
In 1996, despite rifts with Dalmiya, Bindra ensured India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka co-hosted another World Cup, cementing subcontinental dominance. Later, as Sharad Pawar’s ICC advisor, he helped conceptualise the IPL, revolutionising cricket’s economy. His four-decade admin career, starting in 1975, positioned India as a cricketing superpower.
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PCA Presidency: Punjab’s Cricket Architect
Bindra devoted 36 years (1978-2014) as Punjab Cricket Association President, elevating it from obscurity. His brainchild, the PCA Stadium in Mohali (opened 1983), hosted iconic matches, including World Cup games, and was renamed IS Bindra PCA Stadium in 2015. Elected PCA Chairman post-presidency, he nurtured talent like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and modern stars, fostering grassroots growth and infrastructure.
He resigned from all posts around 2014, leaving a blueprint for state associations. Mohali’s state-of-the-art facilities hosted IPL finals, India-Pakistan thrillers, and Tests, symbolising his vision: world-class venues for emerging regions.
Enduring legacy and tributes
Bindra, who retired as Special Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh, blended bureaucracy with cricket passion. His contributions, World Cups to India, TV commercialisation, and Punjab’s rise were ahead of their time. The BCCI on Monday expressed its deep sorrow at the demise of IS Bindra.
“Mr I.S. Bindra was a visionary administrator whose leadership helped redefine India’s role in world cricket. His contributions went far beyond governance as he helped build systems and institutions that continue to serve players, administrators and the game itself to this day. The BCCI mourns the loss of a true stalwart of Indian cricket administration,” BCCI president Mithun Manhas said.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia penned, “Indian cricket has lost one of its most influential architects. Mr Bindra’s commitment to the game, his administrative foresight and his passion for creating enduring infrastructure have left a legacy that will be remembered with deep respect across the cricketing fraternity.”
Quietly principled, Bindra avoided the spotlight, letting achievements speak. His era bridged amateur to professional cricket, making India central. As Punjab and India mourn, the IS Bindra Stadium stands eternal, a testament to an admin par excellence who dreamed big for the gentleman’s game.
BCCI expresses its deep sorrow at the passing of Former President of the BCCI Mr Inderjit Singh Bindra.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2026
Mr Bindra was one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket administration, whose vision and leadership helped shape the way the game is governed in the country and… pic.twitter.com/sOafsmiGYM
Deeply saddened by the passing of Inderjit Singh Bindra, former President of the BCCI. I had worked with him in BCCI and found him a visionary leader who brought revenue to BCCI by selling broadcast rights. His immense contribution to Indian cricket administration will always be… pic.twitter.com/xIGeqca8uc
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) January 25, 2026
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