New Delhi: Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has officially become the fifth Indian to head world cricket, having been elected unopposed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday. At just 35 years old, Shahs achievement marks him as the youngest leader to ascend to the pinnacle of global cricket administration.Began as CBCA chairman in 2009Jay Shahs journey in cricket governance began in 2009 when he entered the cricketing arena as a member of the Central Board of Cricket in Ahmedabad (CBCA). With his father, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, being a prominent figure in politics, Jays connections helped accelerate his rise within cricket administration. By 2013, he was already holding the position of Joint Secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA).During his time at GCA, Shah played a pivotal role in the redevelopment of the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, now known as the Narendra Modi Stadium, the worlds largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 132,000. His contributions to this project were widely acknowledged, setting the stage for his growth in Indian crickets governing bodies.Rising through the ranks of BCCIJay Shahs rapid ascent continued as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose to power in 2014, with his father assuming a central role in the government. This political shift helped Shah enter the BCCI in 2015, where he initially served on the Finance and Marketing Committees. He continued to rise through the ranks and was elected as the Secretary of the BCCI in October 2019, alongside former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who served as the President. Shah was re-elected in October 2022, solidifying his position as a key figure in Indian cricket administration.Stepping onto the ICC stageJay Shahs influence within global cricket circles began to grow as he represented the BCCI, the most financially powerful member of the ICC. In December 2019, he was selected to attend future Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meetings of the ICC. By January 2021, Shah was elected President of the Asian Cricket Council, a role he retained after being re-elected in 2024.As his stature within the ICC continued to rise, Shah became a board member in April 2022 and took charge of the Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee in November that same year. His journey to becoming ICC Chairman was no longer a question of if but when. The moment came when Greg Barclay, the outgoing ICC Chairman, opted not to seek a third term. With no serious competition, Shah was elected unopposed, and he will officially assume the position on December 1.Make cricket more exclusive: Jay Shahs vision for crickets futureIn his statement following the election, Shah emphasized the importance of expanding crickets global reach. 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, he said.He highlighted the significance of crickets inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, calling it a significant inflection point for the sports growth. Shahs vision includes innovative approaches to bring cricket to new audiences while building on the legacies of his predecessors, such as Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, and N Srinivasan.
