Renowned administrator Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the next Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is set to assume office on December 1, 2024.
At just 35, Shah has become the youngest individual to head the ICC, bringing a fresh perspective to the role. His election comes after current Chair Greg Barclay opted not to seek a third term, leaving Shah as the sole nominee for the position. Since October 2019, Shah has served as the Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and since January 2021, he has held the position of Chair of the Asian Cricket Council.
“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council. I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket,” Shah told ICC.
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Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular: Jay Shah
Furthermore, Jay Shah expressed his vision for the future of cricket, emphasizing the need to balance multiple formats, embrace technological advancements, and expand the sport’s global footprint. One of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing Shah’s tenure will be cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Shah views this as a crucial moment for the sport’s growth.
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“We stand at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote the adoption of advanced technologies, and introduce our marquee events to new global markets. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before,” he added.
“While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways,” Shah concluded.
Shah’s election continues India’s strong representation in ICC leadership. He becomes the fifth individual from India to lead the global cricket body, following in the footsteps of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.