Jay Shah, the outgoing BCCI Secretary, officially assumed the role of ICC Chair on Sunday, becoming the fifth Indian to lead cricket’s global governing body. The 36-year-old was unanimously elected by the ICC Board of Directors, succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who opted not to seek a third term.
Shah follows in the footsteps of former Indian ICC Chairs Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, and N Srinivasan. His appointment comes at a crucial time, with key challenges ahead, including implementing the ‘Hybrid Model’ for the Champions Trophy, originally planned in Pakistan.
In his first statement as ICC Chair, Shah emphasized the importance of leveraging cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerating the growth of the women’s game.
“I am honored to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” Shah said. “This is an exciting time for the sport, as we prepare for LA28 and strive to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide. Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to take the sport to new heights.”
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Shah brings over a decade of cricket administration experience, starting his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association, where he oversaw the development of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. He joined the BCCI in 2019 as the youngest-ever Honorary Secretary and has since served as President of the Asian Cricket Council and Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.
Acknowledging his predecessor, Shah praised Barclay’s leadership and the ICC’s accomplishments over the past four years. “I would like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership and the milestones achieved during his tenure,” Shah noted.
As he steps into his new role, Shah aims to strengthen cricket’s global presence and guide the sport’s evolution across formats.
