Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has emerged as the frontrunner to assume the prestigious position of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). This development comes in the wake of the current ICC chairman Greg Barclay’s decision not to seek a third term, as confirmed by the ICC in a recent media release.
Barclay, who has been at the helm of the ICC since November 2020, will step down at the end of his second term, which concludes on November 30. His decision opens the door for new leadership within the global cricketing body. Under the ICC’s governance rules, a chairman can serve a maximum of three two-year terms. Having completed four years, Barclay has opted not to continue, leaving the position open for a new candidate to lead the organization into its next phase.
In a statement, the ICC officially announced Barclay’s decision: “ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November.”
With the ICC chairmanship soon to be vacant, attention has turned to Jay Shah as a potential successor. Shah, who has been an influential figure in Indian cricket as the BCCI secretary, is widely regarded as a strong candidate for the ICC’s top job. Should he choose to pursue the role and secure the necessary votes, he would make history as the youngest person to ever hold the position at the age of 35.
The process of electing a new ICC chairman is governed by a voting system where a candidate must secure at least 51 percent of the votes—meaning that nine out of the 16 voting members must support the candidate. Given Shah’s standing in the cricketing world and the influence of the BCCI, he is seen as having a favorable chance of garnering the necessary support.
Jay Shah’s potential ascension to the ICC chairmanship would add him to a distinguished list of Indian cricket administrators who have held the position, including Jagmohan Dalmiya, Shashank Manohar, Sharad Pawar, and N Srinivasan. His appointment would further solidify India’s prominent role in the global cricketing landscape, particularly in a time when the BCCI wields considerable influence due to the financial clout and popularity of Indian cricket.
However, Shah’s possible move to the ICC would leave a notable vacancy within the BCCI. Currently, he has one year remaining in his term as BCCI secretary, with the possibility of extending his tenure by another three years. Should he be elected as the ICC chairman, the BCCI would need to address the transition in its own leadership structure while Shah takes on the global role.
As the cricket world watches closely, Shah’s decision will be pivotal in shaping the future of the ICC. His leadership could bring a fresh perspective to the organization, potentially aligning global cricket’s direction with the dynamic changes and growth seen in Indian cricket. With the formal election process expected to commence soon, all eyes will be on how the various cricket boards vote and whether Shah will indeed take on this significant role.
