Who Is Sanjog Gupta? Meet ICC’s First Indian CEO Who Refused PCB’s Push To Remove Andy Pycroft

In the middle of a tense standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), it was Sanjog Gupta, the ICC's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, who stepped in and decisively blocked Pakistan's demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from officiating their Asia Cup matches.

The controversy began after the high-profile India-Pakistan Group A clash in Dubai on September 14, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Yadav later clarified that his decision was a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and a gesture of solidarity with Indian armed forces following Operation Sindoor.

Following the incident, the PCB accused Pycroft of misconduct, claiming he failed to uphold the spirit of the game. According to their allegation, Pycroft told both captains not to exchange team sheets and advised Salman against initiating a handshake with Yadav. The PCB branded his actions "partisan" and demanded Pycroft's removal, suggesting Richie Richardson take over for the rest of their Asia Cup fixtures.

But the ICC, led firmly by Gupta, refused to concede. A Cricbuzz report revealed that six emails were exchanged between the two sides - three each - as the matter escalated behind the scenes. The ICC carried out an internal inquiry and ruled that Pycroft had not breached the Code of Conduct or deviated from standard officiating protocols. The council's official stance was clear: there was "no valid reason" to remove him.

Gupta, who took charge as ICC CEO in July 2025, personally led the ICC's response during negotiations. On the PCB's side, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and COO Salman Naseer represented the board. While Pakistan declared a "moral victory" when the ICC agreed to a limited inquiry into the episode, Gupta ensured that the investigation would not single out Pycroft and would remain narrow in scope.

Insiders revealed that compromise proposals - including removing Pycroft for the September 17 match against UAE - were floated internally. However, Gupta rejected the idea outright, stressing that giving in to such demands without proof of wrongdoing would erode the authority of match officials and set a dangerous precedent.

Who is Sanjog Gupta?

Sanjog Gupta is the first Indian to occupy the role of ICC CEO, marking a historic appointment. Before joining the global cricket body, Gupta was CEO of Sports & Live Experiences at JioStar, the media conglomerate formed from the 2024 merger of Viacom18 and Disney Star.

A strategist and storyteller by reputation, Gupta has long been credited with revolutionising sports broadcasting in India. He joined Star India in 2010 and rose quickly, becoming Head of Sports at Disney Star in 2020. Under his leadership, the broadcaster introduced multi-language feeds, prioritised digital-first coverage, expanded focus on women's sports, and revamped its overall sports portfolio. Gupta also played an instrumental role in growing marquee events such as the IPL, ICC tournaments, ISL, and PKL, while making international competitions like the Premier League and Wimbledon more accessible to Indian viewers. His balance of innovation and commercial growth made him one of the most influential figures in India's sports ecosystem.

His selection as ICC CEO followed a highly competitive recruitment process, which drew more than 2,500 applicants from 25 countries. The ICC Nominations Committee unanimously recommended him, and the Board ratified the decision in early 2025. His appointment signalled the ICC's renewed emphasis on global expansion, digital innovation, and cricket's integration into the Olympic movement, beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

A Firm But Fair Start

Gupta's resolute handling of the Pycroft controversy has already set the tone for his leadership. By rejecting PCB's repeated calls to remove the referee, he made it clear that the ICC will stand by its officials and uphold due process, no matter the political pressure. Within cricketing circles, the episode is being seen as a strong statement that integrity will not be compromised under his watch.