Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), making history as the youngest individual to hold this prestigious position at the age of 35.
His election was confirmed on August 27, 2024, and he will officially assume office on December 1, 2024, succeeding Greg Barclay, who opted not to seek a third consecutive term.
Background and Election
Jay Shah, who currently serves as the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was the sole nominee for the ICC chairmanship after Barclay announced his decision to step down.
The nomination process closed on August 27, and with no other candidates, Shah’s election was uncontested.
In his statement following the announcement, Shah expressed his gratitude and commitment to enhancing the global appeal of cricket.
He highlighted the significance of the sport’s inclusion in the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, viewing it as a pivotal moment for cricket’s growth.
Jay Shah emphasized the need to balance various formats of the game, leverage advanced technologies, and expand cricket’s reach into new markets.
Jay Shah’s Vision for Cricket
Jay Shah’s vision for his tenure includes:
- He aims to work closely with ICC member nations to broaden the sport’s international footprint.
- Jay Shah is focused on making cricket more accessible and appealing to diverse audiences.
- He plans to embrace fresh ideas and technologies to enhance the cricketing experience and engage fans worldwide.
Shah stated, “While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide”.
Jay Shah Career Highlights
Before he was elected ICC chairman, Jay Shah had a notable career in cricket administration:
- He has been the BCCI secretary since October 2019 and was re-elected in 2022, a term that was set to run until 2025.
- Shah has been involved with the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee since 2022, becoming its chair in 2023.
- He also served as the president of the Asian Cricket Council from 2021 to 2024.
Jay Shah is the fifth Indian to lead the ICC, following in the footsteps of prominent figures like Jagmohan Dalmiya and N. Srinivasan.
