Jay Shah, who is currently the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is reportedly going to become the ICC Chairman.
New reports have claimed that Jay Shah is going to be the next Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is a huge step up in the world of cricket. This is happening because the current Chairman, Greg Barclay, is stepping down after his term ends in November 2024. As per the reports, Barclay has decided not to run for a third term, and this has increased the chances for Shah to get this position.
Jay Shah Set To Become ICC Chairman
At just 35 years old, Shah will become the youngest ICC Chairman ever, if the reports are true. He’ll also be the third Indian to hold this important position, following Jagmohan Dalmiya and Sharad Pawar.
Well, this change has come at a time when Indian cricket is super powerful on the world stage and Shah's work with the BCCI has been a big part of that. He has got some major backing too, with countries like Australia and England reportedly supporting him. Adding to this, the ICC changed its voting rules too as now only a simple majority (9 out of 16 votes) is needed to elect the Chairman.
So, with such a sort of support, Shah seems almost certain to get the role. And if this happens, he could stay in the role for at least three years, maybe even longer if he gets re-elected.
One big reason why Shah has risen so quickly is because he’s been a strong leader at the BCCI. He’s been in charge of organizing big tournaments and helping make India a super strong team in cricket. On top of that, he’s been leading the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) group, which takes care of all the money stuff. The way he handles these financial matters has made a lot of people respect him.
Happy Birthday to the @BCCI President - my colleague, Roger Binny! Have a great day and year ahead, my friend! pic.twitter.com/UddkzeMUWa
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 18, 2024
But things won't be super easy for Shah. He’s got some big challenges coming his way as the new ICC Chairman. For starters, he’ll need to figure out how to keep Test cricket alive, grow T20 matches, and support women’s cricket. Plus, he has to make sure the older cricketing countries and the newer ones are both happy.
Another tough problem is the ongoing fight between the ICC and broadcasters like Star over a $3 billion deal. And let’s not forget the big question—will India even play in the ICC ODI Champions Trophy 2025, since it's planned to be held in Pakistan?
Everyone’s going to be watching Shah as he takes on this big job. His success with the BCCI and how well he can work with different cricket countries will be super important as he deals with the complicated world of international cricket. If he does a good job, Shah could help lead the ICC into a new time where cricket is easier for everyone to play and more exciting worldwide.
In short, Jay Shah becoming ICC Chairman is a big deal for both India and global cricket. He’s got strong support and a lot of experience, so he looks ready for the role.