Jay Shah Bids Adieu To BCCI Secretary Role, Begins Stint As ICC Chairman

The BCCI's outgoing secretary, Jay Shah, assumed the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday, becoming the fifth Indian to lead the global cricket body.

The 36-year-old Shah, who has served as the BCCI secretary for the past five years, was the unanimous choice of the ICC's Board of Directors, succeeding New Zealand's Greg Barclay, who chose not to seek a third consecutive term.

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Prior to Shah, individuals such as businessman Jagmohan Dalmiya, politician Sharad Pawar, lawyer Shashank Manohar, and industrialist N Srinivasan had all held the position of ICC chairman.

Shah, the son of India's Home Minister Amit Shah, faces significant challenges as the ICC works towards finding a viable solution for implementing the 'Hybrid Model' for the Champions Trophy, originally scheduled in Pakistan.

In his first statement as ICC Chair, Shah outlined his priorities, including leveraging cricket's inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a major opportunity and further promoting the growth of the women's game.

"I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards," Shah said in a statement.

"This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide.

"We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women's game.

"Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights."

Shah has vast experience in cricket administration, having started his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association, where he oversaw the development of the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

In 2019, he joined the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as its youngest-ever Honorary Secretary. He has also served as President of the Asian Cricket Council and as Chair of the ICC's Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.

Shah now succeeds Greg Barclay, who held the ICC Chair position since November 2020. Shah acknowledged Barclay's contributions during his tenure, recognising the milestones achieved under his leadership.

"I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period," he said.

"I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the Member countries to expand the game's reach and evolution on the global stage."