DUBAI (Diya TV) — Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah, who will take over the position on December 1, will succeed New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who opted not to seek a third term, stepping down at the end of November.
At 35, Shah will become the youngest-ever chairman of the ICC and the fifth Indian to head the global cricket governing body, joining an elite list of former leaders such as Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar. His unanimous selection underscores the influence of the BCCI within the ICC, reflecting India’s significant clout in the global cricket landscape.
Shah began his career in cricket administration at the district level in Gujarat before becoming the joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association in 2013. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of the Motera Stadium, which was later renamed the Narendra Modi Stadium, now the world’s largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 132,000. His experience and leadership at the BCCI since 2019 have positioned him as a key figure in Indian and international cricket.
Shah’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the sport, as he intends to further globalize cricket by promoting its adoption in new markets and enhancing its inclusivity. “I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah said in a statement. “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” (ICC).
A priority for Shah will be to navigate the complexities of expanding cricket’s footprint ahead of its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways,” he added.
Shah’s tenure at the ICC is expected to be marked by both challenges and opportunities. One immediate task will be addressing concerns from ICC broadcast partner Disney Star, which is seeking a discount on its $3 billion media rights payout for the 2023-27 cycle. As ICC Chairman, Shah will need to balance the financial interests of various member boards, particularly in the face of fluctuating revenue from broadcast deals.
During his time as head of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee, Shah helped secure a record 38.5% share of ICC revenues for the BCCI, cementing India’s financial dominance in world cricket. Now, in his new role, he will need to manage the broader financial health of the ICC while maintaining the interests of all 108 member nations.
Shah’s leadership will be closely watched by the cricketing world as he aims to steer the ICC through a period of rapid change and growth. Under his watch, the BCCI has thrived, even amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding the Indian Premier League (IPL) from eight to ten teams and launching the Women’s Premier League (WPL). His tenure saw a tripling of media rights revenue for the IPL from 2023 to 2027, showcasing his ability to drive transformative growth in cricket.
Shah will step down from his roles in the BCCI and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to focus on his responsibilities at the ICC. His strategic decisions and policies over the next three years will shape the future of international cricket and determine whether his vision for a more inclusive and globally popular sport becomes a reality.
