Former Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, began his tenure as the Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday, describing it as a “moment of immense responsibility and opportunity.”
In a post on X, Shah said, “I am deeply honoured to begin my role as ICC Chair today. Cricket is a sport that unites millions across the globe, and this is a moment of immense responsibility and opportunity.”
He emphasized his commitment to fostering the global growth of cricket, working collaboratively with member nations to enhance the sport’s reach and explore new avenues for development. “As we enter a transformative phase for cricket, I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to grow the game’s global footprint and create new avenues for its development,” he added.
Shah outlined his vision of making cricket accessible to a wider audience, from grassroots initiatives to marquee events. He also reaffirmed his dedication to preserving the stature of Test cricket, calling it the “pinnacle of the game,” while pledging to expand women’s cricket, which he described as the “cornerstone” of the growth strategy.
“From grassroots initiatives to marquee events, my vision is to make cricket accessible to more people while ensuring its evolution meets the aspirations of fans worldwide,” he said.
Shah also thanked member boards for their trust and support, promising to work together to elevate cricket to unprecedented heights and inspire the next generation.
The ICC highlighted Shah’s focus on leveraging cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a pivotal opportunity while accelerating the growth of women’s cricket. Shah, who succeeded Greg Barclay as ICC Chair, acknowledged his predecessor’s contributions over the past four years.
“I thank Greg Barclay for his leadership and the milestones achieved during his tenure. I look forward to collaborating with the ICC team and Member countries to expand the game’s global reach and potential,” Shah remarked.
A veteran cricket administrator, Shah began his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), where he oversaw the development of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. He later became the youngest-ever honorary Secretary of the BCCI in 2019.
Shah was elected unopposed as ICC Chair in August 2024, following Barclay’s decision not to seek a third term.
