BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council, making him the youngest person to take on the role. He will officially begin his tenure on December 1, 2024.
Jay Shah
Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, August 27. At 35, Shah will become the youngest individual to lead the global cricket governing body, succeeding Greg Barclay, who chose not to seek a third term. Shah will officially assume the role on December 1, 2024.
Earlier this month, the ICC stated that the chairman election would occur only if multiple candidates were nominated. Shah was the sole nominee for the position.
With Shah’s upcoming departure from his BCCI role at the end of November, it is yet to be determined who will succeed him.
Shah’s election comes as cricket seeks to expand its global presence, especially with the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 seen as a significant milestone. His tenure as Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs subcommittee, which oversees the sport’s financial management, has further prepared him for this new role.
In an ICC statement, Shah was recognized for his previous roles, including as the BCCI Honorary Secretary since October 2019 and Chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021. Shah will be the fifth Indian to head the ICC, following Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
Shah emphasized the need for innovative thinking to make cricket a truly global sport. “We stand at a critical juncture where balancing multiple formats, advancing technology, and introducing major events to new markets are essential. Our goal is to enhance cricket’s inclusivity and popularity worldwide,” he stated.
Jay Shah’s rapid rise in cricket administration began with his role at the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in 2009. His contributions there, including his role in developing the Narendra Modi Stadium, paved the way for his ascent within the BCCI. By 2015, he was involved in the BCCI’s finance and marketing committees, and in 2019, he was elected as the youngest BCCI Secretary at 31.
Notably, Shah was instrumental in securing a record-breaking broadcasting rights deal for the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), valued at Rs 48,390 crore. His leadership also saw significant successes for the Indian cricket team, including victories in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, and a strong performance in the 50-over World Cup. His tenure, alongside former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, was praised for the successful hosting of the IPL in 2020 in the UAE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
