Inderjit Singh Bindra, the former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), popularly known as I.S. Bindra, passed away at his residence on Sunday at the age of 84.
Bindra breathed his last at his residence in New Delhi. He is survived by a son and daughter.
A Legacy of Modernization
I.S. Bindra served as the 23rd president of the BCCI from 1993 to 1996. However, his influence stretched far beyond his official tenure. A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Bindra is widely credited with breaking the monopoly of state-run broadcasters and turning Indian cricket into a global commercial powerhouse.
Globalizing the World Cup: Alongside the late Jagmohan Dalmiya and NKP Salve, Bindra was instrumental in moving the Cricket World Cup out of England for the first time. He co-organized the 1987 Reliance Cup in the Indian subcontinent, proving that India could host mega-events on a global scale.
Broadcasting Revolution: In 1994, Bindra took a historic stand by approaching the Supreme Court to end the broadcasting monopoly of Doordarshan. This paved the way for private global giants like ESPN and Star Sports to enter the Indian market, skyrocketing the sport’s valuation.
The Mohali Visionary: As the long-time President of the Punjab Cricket Association (1978–2014), he transformed a local ground into the world-class PCA Stadium in Mohali. In 2015, the venue was aptly renamed the IS Bindra Stadium in his honor.
Tributes Pour In
ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah led the tributes, highlighting Bindra’s status as a pioneer of the game’s administration.
“Deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. I S Bindra, former BCCI president and a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. May his legacy inspire future generations. Om Shanti,” Shah shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. I S Bindra, former BCCI president and a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. May his legacy inspire future generations. Om Shanti
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 25, 2026
Other veterans noted that Bindra’s strategic thinking was behind the successful hosting of the 1996 World Cup and his later role as Principal Advisor to the ICC during Sharad Pawar’s presidency. He also played a key advisory role in the early conceptualization of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
