Jay Shah becomes youngest chairman at International Cricket Council

Jay Shah, the incumbent honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been elected unopposed as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Shah, who will turn 36 in September, will be the youngest chair in the ICC’s history, when he officially assumes the role on 1 December.

The announcement comes following the decision of current ICC chair Greg Barclay to not seek a third term, which will conclude in November.

Shah, the sole nominee for the chairmanship, has been heading the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs (F&CA) sub-committee since 2022.

With the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Shah’s leadership is expected to play a key role in driving the sport’s growth on the world stage, the international governing body for cricket 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,” Shah said in a statement.

“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 added.

In a statement given to BCCI, Shah outlined his vision for his tenure, emphasizing the importance of talent development, maintaining the significance of Test cricket, and promoting equality in the sport.

“While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game,” he said.

He called upon stakeholders to support this initiative, stressing the need to balance the excitement of T20 cricket with the enduring value of Test matches.

Shah also emphasized the importance of encouraging players to embrace longer formats and pledged to direct efforts towards achieving this goal.

“We must champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to Women’s Cricket and Differently-abled Cricket. Together, we can empower these essential facets of the sport, making them not just visible but vibrant and thriving.”