India’s Jay Shah, who was elected unopposed, now assumed the role on December 1, 2024. Shah as the new Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC),

He was honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In elections, Shah was the sole nominee for the prestigious position.

Jay Shah assumed charge as times when Pakistan and India cricketing boards row over Champions Trophy 2024 venue is at its peak Both Pakistan its stance is clear about not accepting a hybrid model. On the other hand, BCCI declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Shah’s election comes after current ICC Chair Greg Barclay announced he would step down after his tenure in November, having chosen not to seek a third term.

In his acceptance statement, Shah expressed his gratitude and commitment to expanding the global reach of cricket, particularly with the sport's upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics. He emphasized the need for a balanced coexistence of multiple formats, the adoption of advanced technologies, and the introduction of marquee events to new global markets.

“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah said. “We stand at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to work closely with our member nations and globalize cricket, making it more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

Shah also highlighted the significance of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, believing it will drive the sport’s growth in unprecedented ways and open up new opportunities on the global stage.

Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC Chair

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today - 1 December - marked the beginning of Jay Shah's tenure as ICC Chair.

In his first statement as ICC Chair, Shah outlined his priorities for his term, including leveraging the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a pivotal opportunity as well as further accelerating the growth of the women’s game.

“I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” Shah said in a statement.

“This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide.

“We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game.

“Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights.”

Shah brings extensive experience in cricket administration, having started his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

In 2019, Shah joined the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming its youngest-ever Honorary Secretary.

He has also played important roles as the President of the Asian Cricket Council and as Chair of the ICC's Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee.

Shah will now succeed Greg Barclay as ICC Chair. Barclay was in the role from November 2020, and Shah acknowledged his contribution to ICC’s achievements over the last four years.

“I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period,” he said.

“I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the Member countries to expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”

Who is Jay Shah?

Since 2019, Jay Shah has served as the Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and since 2021, he has been the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Additionally, Shah was appointed to the Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2022 and was unanimously elected as the ICC Chair, effective December 1, 2024.

Shah’s journey in cricket administration began at Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and the Central Board of Cricket in Ahmedabad (CBCA).

Shah elevated the IPL to become the second most valued sporting league globally in terms of per-match value. He also played a role in hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Shah was also instrumental in securing cricket’s return to the Olympics, beginning with the Los Angeles 2028 Games, through his work with the ICC Olympics Working Group.

Under his leadership, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was launched, becoming the world’s biggest women’s cricket league. He also introduced the Pay Parity Policy in Indian cricket, ensuring equal prize money for both men and women cricketers at ICC events. His tenure at the BCCI also saw a significant increase in prize money for domestic tournaments, with a 300-700% rise in rewards for players, along with substantial increases in match fees for domestic cricketers.

Shah’s leadership was crucial in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including conducting the IPL in a bio-secure bubble in 2020, the first major cricket tournament after the global lockdown.

His contributions also led to the creation of the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and the establishment of the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, along with six world-class indoor cricket training facilities in India’s North East.

Shah’s work laid the foundation for India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the country’s first win in the tournament in 17 years. Under his guidance, the BCCI was recognized as the Sports Federation of the Year, and the WPL was named the Best Emerging Sports League in India.

For his exceptional contributions to sports administration, Mr. Jay Shah has received numerous awards, including the ‘Sports Business Leader of the Year’ at the CII Sports Business Awards 2023, ‘Game Changer of the Year’ at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards, and was ranked #35 on The Indian Express’s 2024 list of the Most Powerful Indians. He was also named the #2 Sports Personality of the Year by India Today and received the 'Excellence in Sports Administration' award at the CEAT International Cricket Awards 2024.

Shah holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from Nirma University, Gujarat, and is proficient in three languages: English, Hindi, and Gujarati.