Jay Shah Outlines his Priorities After Becoming the New ICC Chairman

The current BCCI Secretary is set to step up as the new ICC Chairman after being elected unopposed yesterday. In his first official interview since the announcement, Jay Shah has already laid out his key priorities for his upcoming tenure.

Shah will take over the reins from the current ICC Chairman, Greg Barclay, whose term concludes in November 2024. At just 35, Shah will become only the third Indian to hold the prestigious position, following in the footsteps of Jagmohan Dalmiya and Sharad Pawar. The incoming ICC Chairman has already vowed to prioritize Test cricket and allocate more resources to women’s cricket during his tenure.  

Test cricket has been enjoying a resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to the ICC World Test Championship. With two full cycles already completed, New Zealand and Australia have each claimed the title, both times defeating India in the finals. Moreover, Jay Shah has vowed to keep the good work going, emphasizing his commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Test cricket, even as the T20 format continues to dominate in popularity. In his first interview after being elected as the ICC Chairman, Shah stated, “While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game. We must see to it that cricketers are driven to longer format and our efforts will be channelized towards this goal.” 

Besides his commitment to preserving the legacy of Test cricket, Jay Shah is also focused on ensuring that women’s cricket and cricket for differently-abled players receive the support it deserves. The ICC Board has already committed to expanding the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from 10 to 16 teams by the 2030 World Cup. Following his election as the ICC Chair, Shah vowed to allocate a significant amount of resources to further improve women’s cricket. He said, “We must champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to women’s cricket and differently-abled cricket. Together, we can empower these essential facets of the sport, making them not just visible but vibrant and thriving." 

In his first interview since being elected as the ICC Chairman, Jay Shah has said all the right things. However, as the old adage goes – “It's easier said than done,” the true challenge during Jay Shah’s tenure would be to back all the things he has said in his first interview. But given his track record as the BCCI Secretary, Shah is a man, who gets things done. So, despite the challenges ahead, several people are backing the 35-year-old Indian to rise to the occasion and make a significant impact during his tenure. 

Also Read: Rohan Jaitley Rumoured to Replace Jay Shah as the BCCI Secretary