Jay Shah Poised to Become ICC’s Youngest Chairman Amid Power Shift
Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is reportedly set to take over as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to a report by The Age. This development follows the decision of current ICC chairman Greg Barclay to step down after his term ends on November 30, 2024, amid a multi-billion dollar dispute with broadcast rights holder Star.
Shah, 35, could become the youngest chairman in ICC history if he takes the role. Backed by Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and other key members, Shah’s rise comes at a critical time for the ICC. His potential appointment is seen as a significant shift in cricket’s global power structure, with India solidifying its influence.
The official deadline for filing nominations for the ICC chairmanship is August 27, but neither Shah nor the ICC has confirmed the news. If elected, Shah will need just a simple majority of nine out of 16 votes, a process simplified from the previous requirement of a two-thirds majority.
Shah, who currently heads the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee, is widely respected within the organization. With one year left in his tenure as BCCI secretary, Shah’s move to the ICC could align with the mandatory cooling-off period set by the BCCI’s constitution, which would begin in October 2025. If he assumes the ICC chairmanship, Shah would follow in the footsteps of Indian cricket luminaries like Jagmohan Dalmiya and Shashank Manohar.
