Jay Shah to Lead International Cricket Council as New Chair Starting December 2024
Jay Shah, who has been serving as the Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and as the Chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, has been elected unopposed as the next Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah will officially assume his new role on December 1, 2024, succeeding Greg Barclay, who decided not to seek a third term.
Shah, who was the sole nominee for the position, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead the ICC and his vision for the future of cricket. “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 globalize cricket.”
One of Shah’s key goals is to expand the global reach of cricket, especially with the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “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,” he noted. “Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”
At just 36 years old, Shah will become one of the youngest leaders in the ICC’s history. He emphasized the importance of innovation and fresh thinking to elevate the sport’s popularity worldwide. “While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant inflexion point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways.”
Shah’s appointment marks a significant new chapter for the ICC as it seeks to expand the game’s reach and continue its evolution on the global stage. He is the fifth Indian to hold a prominent post at the International Cricket Council. Previous Indian leaders at the ICC include N. Srinivasan (2014-2015) and Shashank Manohar (2016-2020) as Chairmen, as well as Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) as Presidents.
With his vast experience and ambitious vision, Jay Shah is poised to take cricket to new heights and broaden its appeal across different markets worldwide. His leadership will be pivotal in guiding the sport through its next phase of growth and evolution.
