Jay Shah Takes the Helm as ICC’s Chair

Jay Shah, the 35-year-old honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has ascended to the highest position in global cricket governance after being elected unopposed as the chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah, who is also the son of India’s home minister Amit Shah, is now the youngest individual to ever hold this prestigious role. To comply with ICC regulations, Shah will step down from his position at the BCCI, as the chair must be independent of any national board. His official tenure begins on December 1, following the four-year leadership of New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who chose not to seek a third term due to growing support for Shah among ICC member boards.

Shah's election comes at a pivotal time for cricket, with numerous challenges on the horizon. While Shah has expressed enthusiasm for cricket’s anticipated return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, viewing it as a crucial opportunity for the sport's expansion, he is also faced with more immediate concerns. One of the key issues involves Disney Star, the broadcaster of ICC’s global events, which is reportedly seeking a reduction in the $3 billion (£2.26 billion) it paid for the current four-year broadcast rights. This revenue, which is primarily distributed among member boards—with India, England, and Australia receiving the largest shares—plays a vital role in sustaining cricket boards worldwide.

The sport is also grappling with the rise of privately owned franchise leagues, which increasingly compete with international cricket by offering lucrative contracts to top players. This issue is particularly pressing in the men’s game, where the crowded schedule is under strain, and the next Future Tours Programme, set to commence in 2027, is currently under development. Meanwhile, the World Cricketers’ Association, which represents the leading players' unions globally (though India’s players remain ununionised), has recently established a committee to address these challenges, highlighting a growing dissatisfaction with the ICC's leadership.

During his five-year tenure with the BCCI, Shah has been instrumental in the professionalisation of women’s cricket in India, notably through the establishment of the Women’s Premier League. He has also championed the promotion of red-ball cricket among men, including initiatives to financially reward top Test players. Shah has recently advocated for a global Test fund aimed at supporting smaller cricket boards by supplementing match fees, which are reported to be around $10,000 per player per match. The success of this fund, like much of international cricket, hinges on the ongoing negotiations between the ICC and Disney Star.