On Sunday, December 1, Jay Shah officially began his tenure as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, following his resignation as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary. He emphasized the LA28 Olympic Games and the growth of women’s cricket as key priorities, describing the sport as being at a “critical juncture.”
Shah, 36, was elected unopposed to succeed Greg Barclay, who had served as chairman since November 2020. Shah is the youngest ever and the fifth Indian to hold this prestigious position. His term will last for two years, with the possibility of two renewals.
“I am honored 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,” he added.
Shah has stepped down from his position as BCCI secretary, a role he held since 2019. During this time, he also served as the president of the Asian Cricket Council and chaired the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.
The son of Indian home minister Amit Shah, he began his career with the Gujarat Cricket Association in 2009.
“I would also like to thank Greg Barclay”- Jay Shah
Under Barclay’s leadership, the ICC organized several men’s and women’s tournaments and made progress towards gender pay parity. However, it also faced criticism regarding the allocation of resources to smaller member countries.
In his statement, Shah further added:
“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. 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.”
The Indian administrator’s initial major task will be to ensure the smooth running of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which has been marred by hosting disputes between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
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