Desh is a policy specialist and a dual-qualified lawyer, licensed to practice in India and New York. He is experienced in policy matters, and practiced for several years as a sports lawyer, with a focus on sports governance and sports policy. Over the past several years, Desh has worked exclusively in policy, having most recently served as Officer on Special Duty at NITI Aayog for Sports and Law from 2017-2021. At NITI, he also headed the Access to Justice vertical, and led several initiatives including as the Convener of the NITI Aayog-constituted High Level Committee for formulating an action plan for Online Dispute Resolution in India, chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice A.K. Sikri. Following the integration of the SAPA Centre into GoSports Foundation, he also serves on the Foundation’s Governing Board.

In 2009, he established and headed the Sports law practice at J. Sagar Associates, a national law firm, until August 2016, and represented both Indian and international clients in sports-related and adjacent matters. Desh is a frequent columnist, writing in dailies and is the author of Not Out! The incredible story of the Indian Premier League, published by Penguin Random House in April 2016. Desh completed his B.A. (Honors) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi. He is also a former junior national lawn tennis singles finalist.

• Why sports need to be a national priority sector, Hindustan Times, November 4, 2025 (co-authored with Amitabh Kant).
• Sports as a public good: Time for India to put this idea in play, Mint, July 10, 2025 (co-authored with Nandan Kamath).
• Time to widen CSR’s playing field, The Economic Times, July 2, 2025 (co-authored with Nandan Kamath).
• Harnessing sports to realise Viksit Bharat, Hindustan Times, February 7, 2024 (co-authored with Amitabh Kant).
• India must get more active. Here is a plan, Hindustan Times, May 20, 2023 (co-authored with Ashish Dhawan).