(Image source from: Twitter.com/ICC)
Jay Shah has been elected as the new chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He will take over from Greg Barclay and will start his role on December 1. The secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was chosen without any opposition, as no other candidate was nominated. At 35 years old, Shah will be the youngest person to lead the ICC. He will serve a three-year term, with the possibility of extending it for another three years. Shah will need to resign from his BCCI position, which he has held since 2019. The ICC confirmed that Shah was the only nominee for the Chair position, and it is understood that several nominations were filed on his behalf by the 16 current directors. According to the rules, the nominations are submitted by the directors, proposing his name, and the candidate does not need to file the paperwork themselves. One of Shah's important and immediate tasks is to find a new Independent Woman Director for the ICC, as the position is currently vacant after Indra Nooyi's term ended last month. Another major responsibility is to address the request from Disney Star, which wants to renegotiate the $3 billion broadcast deal.
The new ICC chairperson plans to ensure a smooth transition of power at the BCCI by finding a suitable candidate for the secretary post. He expressed his intent to expand the global reach and popularity of cricket, especially with its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which he sees as a crucial opportunity for the sport's growth. He is committed to working closely with the ICC team and member nations to further globalize cricket. The focus will be on balancing the coexistence of multiple formats, promoting advanced technologies, and introducing major events to new global markets. The goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before. While building on valuable lessons, they will also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics is a significant milestone for the sport's growth, and the chairperson is confident it will drive cricket forward in unprecedented ways.
