Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and chair of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is set to become the new Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being elected unopposed. Shah, who will officially assume the role on December 1, 2024, will become the youngest person ever to hold the position at the age of 36. His election follows the decision of incumbent Chair Greg Barclay not to seek a third term.
Shah’s unchallenged ascent to the top of the ICC highlights his growing influence in global cricket administration. Since taking over as BCCI secretary in October 2019 and leading the ACC from January 2021, Shah has been a central figure in cricket’s governance.
His new role as ICC Chair places him alongside an elite group of Indian cricket administrators, including Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar, who have previously held the prestigious position.
Upon his election, Shah expressed his gratitude and outlined an ambitious vision for the future of cricket. He emphasized the importance of expanding the sport’s global footprint, particularly in light of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Shah sees this as a pivotal opportunity to increase cricket’s popularity on a global scale.
“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah said in a statement. “I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalise cricket. 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.”
Shah also highlighted the need to integrate new ideas and innovations into the sport while building on past successes. He pointed to the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics as a transformative moment for cricket. “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,” he added.
As he prepares to take over as ICC Chair, Shah faces significant challenges and responsibilities. One of his primary tasks will be navigating the complexities of managing cricket’s various formats—Test cricket, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20s—while ensuring the sport remains attractive to a global audience. With the rise of T20 leagues around the world, including the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), balancing the traditional aspects of the game with the demands of modern audiences will be crucial.
Shah’s role as Chairperson of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee, one of the most influential bodies within the ICC, has already given him a taste of the complexities involved in the sport’s governance. This experience will be invaluable as he works to enhance the ICC’s financial stability and commercial appeal, ensuring that cricket continues to grow both in traditional strongholds and emerging markets.
At just 36 years old, Shah’s appointment as ICC Chair is notable not only for his age but also for the fresh perspective he brings to the role. His tenure is expected to inject new energy and ideas into the ICC, which could lead to significant changes in how the game is governed and promoted globally.
Shah’s rise to the top of cricket’s global governing body reflects the increasing influence of Indian cricket on the world stage. India, with its vast fan base and financial clout, has become the epicenter of the cricketing world, and Shah’s leadership is likely to further solidify this position.
