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.

One among the SENA cricket boards was Mr. Shah’s proposer and another one of these countries seconded the nomination. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Jay Shah, the incumbent secretary of the Board of Cricket for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to become the youngest chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

He will take over from New Zealand’s Greg Barclay on December 1.

An ICC statement confirmed that Mr. Shah was the only name proposed on Tuesday (August 27, 2024), the deadline for each of the 16 ICC Board of Directors to nominate their preferred candidate.

With Mr. Shah being the lone candidate in the fray, he will be elected unopposed and will take over from Barclay, who will step down in November.

“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,” said Mr. Shah in the media release. “Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

August club

Mr. Shah, 35, will thus join an August club of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar in the list of Indians who have headed the game’s governing body.

Jay Shah’s elevation from the post of the BCCI secretary and ICC Director to the ICC Chair was a mere formality once Barclay announced his decision last week to not seek an extension.

Mr. Shah has been involved in cricket administration for a decade. Having served as the joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, he was elected unopposed as the BCCI secretary in October 2019. Since 2021, he has also been serving as the Asian Cricket Council chairperson.

With the ICC rules prescribing an Independent Chair, Mr. Shah will have to give up his other posts. It will be interesting to see his successor as the BCCI secretary.