Jay Shah elected unopposed as Independent chairperson of International Cricket Council (ICC)

Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the BCCI has been elected unopposed as the next chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body for the sport announced on Tuesday.

Shah will officially take over the new role on December 1, 2024. He became the only contender when incumbent ICC chairman Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term. 

Jay Shah, going to be 36 next month, will become the youngest chairperson in the ICC's history. He will become the fifth Indian to head the ICC after Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar.

Since October 2019, he has held the position of honorary secretary for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and since January 2021, he has chaired the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

In his statement following the election, Shah emphasized his commitment to expanding the global reach and popularity of cricket, especially with its upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics.

“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah said.

“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket. 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. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

He further added, “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 inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways.”

Shah’s election marks a new chapter for the ICC as it seeks to expand the game’s reach and continue its evolution on the global stage. This appointment also means that Shah will have to vacate his position as the BCCI Secretary.

Cover Credits - ICC Cricket