BREAKING: Jay Shah becomes youngest ICC president, elected unopposed

BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently appointed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He also became the youngest ever to hold this prestigious position as he is just 35 years old. The announcement, made by the global cricket governing body on Tuesday, August 27, signals the beginning of a new era for the sport under Shah's leadership.

At just 35 years old, Shah steps into a role previously held by several distinguished Indians, including Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar. Shah's election is particularly significant as he takes over from Greg Barclay, who served as ICC chair since November 2020 and was re-elected unopposed in 2022.

Although eligible for a third and final term, Barclay chose to step down, paving the way for Shah's unopposed candidacy. He led the ICC during a challenging period marked by the global pandemic and shifts in the cricketing landscape and expressed his decision to step down.

A statement read, “ICC Chair Greg Barclay informed the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the role when his current tenure ends at the end of November.”

“Humbled by the nomination”, says Jay Shah

With Shah as the only nominee for the position, the need for an election was rendered unnecessary. Following his election, Shah shared his vision for the future of cricket in an ICC release, stating, “I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council.”

“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalise 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 inflexion point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways”, he further added.