Current secretary of BCCI Jay Shah is going to be the next Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) after Greg Barclay as announced by International Cricket Governing body on Tuesday. Shah was the only candidate of this only respected position.
The 35- year old Jay Shah was the BCCI secretary since 2019 is the youngest ever to be the ICC Chairman in this year. He will be taking the charge on December 1, 2024. Though the role of his Chairman as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since January 2021 has provided him some valuable experience in navigating the international cricket administration within a diverse region.
Cricket will be included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and that will be the huge challenge for Shah How to tackle the situation in that position during the Olympics Games.
Shah said in an ICC media release that, He was humbled by the emotion as the chair of the International Cricket Council. He was committed to working closely with the ICC team members and with the Indian members who are in the ICC as well. He also said that they stand together in a critical juncture where it is important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote the adaptation of advanced technologies and introduce their marquee to the global markets. Their goal is to make cricket more popular and inclusive than ever before.
Challenges after taking charge in ICC
After taking charge in ICC, Jay Shah’s immediate challenge will be overseeing the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. When he was the Chairman of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), he supported the hybrid model, which saw the Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosted the Asia Cup (50 over format) in 2023. However, Shah Will going to be the next ICC Chairman navigates the situation will be crucial for him. The Champions Trophy will be hosted in Pakistan and the India matches will be played in Dubai, if Indian Government does not allow the team to travel to Pakistan.
He also have address several critical issues: safeguarding the future of test cricket and sustainability of ODIs and also to freelance the T20 leagues of the World.
Early Days of Administration
Shah was initially involved in cricket administration commenced in 2009. He was focused on cricket development in Gujarat through the Central Board of Cricket, Ahmedabad (CBCA). Then he joined as an Executive of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and became the joint secretary of GCA in 2013.
At that time Gujarat cricket faced some significant changes and also faced some challenges such as adequate infrastructure and the absence of systematic pathways for nurturing talent. His efforts during that period contributed to a notable enhancement in the state’s cricket standards.
As a President of Asian Cricket Council
In January 2021, Jay Shah became the President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), a position that marked the initiative aimed at broadening the cricket’s influence throughout Asia, also in the developing countries. Under his guidance ACC has seen significant efforts the sport’s presence and accessibility in less- established cricketing nations.
Innovations
Jay Shah has significantly impacted the Indian Premier League (IPL) growth and global reach. His leadership is genius in transforming the Indian Premier League from a domestic cricket tournament to a major international sporting event also with substantial economic influence.
Shah’s negotiation with expertise secured-record breaking broadcasting and sponsorship deals, significantly bolstering the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) financial standing.
The 2022 IPL media rights auction achieved a historic Rs.48, 390 cr. ($6.2 billion) for a five year period. This landmark deal positioned the IPL as the second most valuable sports league in the world, trailing only by US National Football League (NFL).
After Jay Shah Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) President will going to be the secretary of BCCI.
