Jay Shah’s ICC Chairmanship: Indian cricket fraternity extends congratulations

The Indian cricket fraternity congratulated Jay Shah on his appointment as ICC Chairman on Tuesday. Shah was elected unopposed to the role.

Having served as the BCCI Secretary since October 2019 and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, Shah will begin his new role on December 1, 2024.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya took to social media to congratulate Jay Shah following his appointment. “Congratulations @JayShah bhai on being elected as the youngest chairman of the ICC. I look forward to seeing you take cricket to even greater heights. Your vision and drive will help the ICC, just as it did with the BCCI,” Pandya wrote on X.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also lauded Shah after his election as ICC Chairman. “Congratulations to @JayShah on being elected unopposed as ICC Chairman—the youngest ever at just 35! His experience running @BCCI will undoubtedly serve him well. The cricket community can be assured that Jay will work tirelessly to help World Cricket and @ICC realize their full potential and elevate them to another level,” Shastri wrote on X.

Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh offered his best wishes to Jay Shah following his appointment as the new ICC Chairman. “Congratulations to Secretary @BCCI @JayShahJi on your election, unopposed, as Chairman @ICC. I am confident that the ICC will benefit from your experience in handling Indian cricket. Your leadership will guide world cricket to new heights. My best wishes,” Harbhajan posted on X.

Young Indian opener Shubman Gill extended his best wishes to Jay Shah. “Congratulations on being appointed Chairman of the ICC. All the best, Jay bhai!” Gill wrote on X.

Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir also congratulated Jay Shah. “Many congrats @JayShah bhai! I am confident that world cricket will grow tremendously under your exceptional leadership!” Gambhir wrote on X.

Shah was the sole nominee for the chairmanship after current Chair Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term, as per an ICC media release. Upon his election, Shah expressed his intent to advance the global reach and popularity of cricket, particularly with its upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics—an opportunity he views as pivotal for the sport’s growth.

“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah stated, as quoted by the ICC.

“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket. 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. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

“While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways,” Shah added.

Jay Shah becomes the youngest person to lead the ICC. He joins the ranks of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar as Indians who have previously led the ICC. Shah’s election marks a new chapter for the ICC as it seeks to expand the game’s reach and continue its evolution on the global stage.