Jay Shah officially takes over as ICC chairman

New Delhi: On Sunday, Jay Shah, the outgoing secretary of the BCCI, was appointed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council, making him the fifth Indian to hold the prestigious position. The 36-year-old, who served as BCCI secretary for the past five years, was unanimously selected by the ICC Board of Directors to succeed Greg Barclay, the New Zealand attorney who opted not to seek a third consecutive term.
Prior to Shah, several prominent Indian figures have led the International Cricket Council, including the late businessman Jagmohan Dalmiya, politician Sharad Pawar, lawyer Shashank Manohar, and industrialist N Srinivasan.
Shah, the son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, faces a challenging task ahead as the ICC must find a viable solution to implement the ‘Hybrid Model’ for the Champions Trophy, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
In his inaugural statement as ICC Chair, Shah highlighted his priorities for the term, emphasizing the strategic importance of cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and expressing a commitment to further accelerating the growth of women’s cricket.
“I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” Shah said in a statement.
“This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide.
“We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game.
“Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights.”
Shah brings extensive experience in cricket administration, having started his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
In 2019, Shah made history by becoming the youngest-ever Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Shah has also held significant positions, serving as the President of the Asian Cricket Council and Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee. He will now succeed Greg Barclay as ICC Chair, following Barclay’s tenure from November 2020, during which he made notable contributions to the organization’s achievements over the past four years.
“I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period,” he said.
“I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the Member countries to expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”