Jay Shah takes charge as ICC Chair

Jay Shah takes charge as ICC Chair

Jay Shah began his historic journey as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on December 1. The 36-year-old becomes the fifth Indian to lead the world’s premier cricket governing body, following in the footsteps of legendary administrators like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar and N Srinivasan.

Shah’s administrative career began in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in developing the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. In 2019, Shah took a significant step forward by joining the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming its youngest-ever Honorary Secretary.

His rise continued as he took up key leadership positions, including President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee (FCAC). Upon assuming the ICC Chair, Shah mentioned a clear and ambitious vision for the future of 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.

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Cricket holds immense potential globally: Jay Shah

Shah sees the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as an opportunity which could expand cricket’s global reach and attract new audiences to the sport. He is also committed to accelerating the growth of women’s cricket.

“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 said.

Meanwhile, one immediate challenge is finding an acceptable solution for the Champions Trophy, originally scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. Succeeding Greg Barclay, who led the ICC from November 2020 until now, Shah credited his predecessor for his multiple contributions.

“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,” Shah concluded.

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