File picture of ICC chairman-elect Jay Shah
| Photo Credit: AP

Newly-elected ICC Chairman Jay Shah says he will look to ensure that Test cricket forms the “bedrock” of the game in his tenure during which he will also try to “dismantle barriers that have hindered cricket’s progress”.

The 35-year-old will relinquish his current position of BCCI secretary to succeed incumbent Greg Barclay on December 1 as the youngest ICC Chairman for a term of two years.

“While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game,” Shah said in a statement issued by the BCCI on Tuesday.

“We must see to it that cricketers are driven to longer format and our efforts will be channelised towards this goal,” he added.

Shah said he would also like to work towards setting up a separate program for talent search. He emphasised on lifting the standard of the game across the globe.

“I want to assure you that I will do everything possible to elevate the standard of our game across the globe. As I step into this pivotal role, I am resolutely committed to meeting your high expectations and dedicating myself to the beautiful game of cricket,” he said.

Shah, who is the son of union home minister Amit Shah, will relinquish his position as the BCCI secretary at the board’s Annual General Meeting likely to be held towards the end of next month or in October.

Shah became the fifth Indian after the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar to be elected for the high-profile job.

“With cricket poised to make its historic debut at the Olympics in 2028, we stand at the precipice of a transformative era. This juncture is not merely a milestone, it’s a clarion call for all of us involved in this magnificent sport.

“It is my privilege to lead the ICC during such an exciting period in our shared journey,” he said.

During his tenure as the ICC Chairman, Shah said he would advocate for the growth of women’s and differently-abled cricketers.

“We must champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to Women’s Cricket and Differently-abled Cricket. Together, we can empower these essential facets of the sport, making them not just visible but vibrant and thriving.”

“I eagerly anticipate a tenure rich with collaborative efforts, striving to dismantle the barriers that have hindered cricket’s progress. Every challenge we face is an opportunity in disguise, and together, we will transform adversity into triumph.

“Let’s embark on this incredible journey, hand in hand, united by our passion for cricket and our belief in its extraordinary potential,” Shah noted.

File picture of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah
| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Jay Shah, the incumbent secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has emerged as the front-runner to succeed Greg Barclay as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chair in December.

Shah’s expected candidature received a major boost with the ICC through a media release on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) night confirming Barclay’s decision to step down from his post at the annual conference in November.

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“ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022,” read the ICC statement.

Mere formality

According to the existing rulebook, Barclay was eligible to seek a third term of two years. However, with him deciding to step down, Shah’s elevation to the top job in the global cricket governing body appears to be a mere formality now.

The ICC has proposed rule changes to amend the Chair’s tenure to maximum two terms of three years each, in sync with the BCCI rulebook. Shah is supposed to serve a cooling-off period of at least three years at the BCCI after his current tenured ends in September 2025. However, he will have to resign as the BCCI secretary before taking over as the ICC chief.

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Each of the 16 current ICC directors will have to now file nominations for Barclay’s successor by August 27. Should there be multiple nominations, there will be an election in November, with the new Chair taking over on December 1.

Youngest chief

With Shah – the son of Home Minister Amit Shah – and the BCCI dominating the ICC boardroom, Shah has emerged as the prime candidate to be unanimously elected as the ICC chief.

Besides being the BCCI-appointed ICC director, Shah is also the chairperson of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee, among the most influential arms of the ICC.

Should he take over, he will be the youngest ever ICC chief. He will also join the august club of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar as the Indians to have chaired the ICC.