Jay Shah is the next ICC Chairman, chosen without opposition

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will have a new Independent Chair, Jay Shah, a renowned administrator, taking office on December 1, 2024, after he was chosen without opposition.

Shah, who took over as chairman of the ICC at the age of 35, brings a new outlook to the position. After incumbent Chair Greg Barclay decided not to run for a third term, Shah was the only candidate left standing. This leads to his election. Shah has been the Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019. He has also been the Chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021.

“Being nominated to lead the International Cricket Council makes me feel humbled. To further globalise cricket, I’m dedicated to collaborating closely with the ICC team and our member countries,” Shah told the ICC.

Making cricket more accessible and well-liked is our aim: Jay Shah

Moreover, Jay Shah shared his outlook on the future of cricket, stressing the importance of embracing technological improvements, striking a balance between various formats, and growing the game’s worldwide reach. The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be one of the biggest chances and problems Shah faces in his term. For the development of the sport, Shah sees this as a pivotal time.

“We are at a turning point in time where it is more crucial than ever to reconcile the coexistence of many forms, encourage the uptake of cutting-edge technologies, and expand the reach of our major events into hitherto untapped international markets. Our objective is to increase cricket’s appeal and participation more than in the past,” he continued.

“To increase cricket’s appeal to people all over the world, we must welcome innovation and new ideas while also building on the important lessons we’ve learnt. The fact that cricket is going to be a part of the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 marks a major turning point in the history of the sport, and Shah expressed his confidence that it will advance in ways never seen before.

Also Read: Reports: Jay Shah supports the ICC’s INR 125 crore plan to keep Test cricket

India continues to have a strong presence in the ICC leadership with Shah’s election. After Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar, he is the sixth person from India to hold the position of head of the international cricket body.