Jay Shah, the Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Chair of the Asian Cricket Council, has been elected as the next Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Shah, who was the only nominee for the top post, will begin his term on December 1, 2024, succeeding Greg Barclay, who did not seek reelection.
At 35, Shah, son of the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, becomes the youngest person to hold the job. Shah’s election signifies a new era for ICC as it aims to broaden the sport’s global appeal and continue its development on the international stage.
Soon after his election, Shah highlighted his dedication to expanding cricket’s global reach, particularly with its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah noted, according to a statement from ICC. “I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize 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.”
To promote cricket globally, he emphasized the importance of embracing new ideas and innovations based on past experiences. He also pointed out that including cricket in the 2028 LA Olympics “represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket,” while expressing optimism that he is “confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways.”
Since the news broke out, several sports icons have been congratulating Shah on X.
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and President of the Indian Olympic Association, P.T. Usha, tweeted, “We look forward to seeing you revolutionize cricket globally…”
Former cricket captains, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and others wished him as well.
