Jay Shah Becomes ICC Chairman: The Fifth Indian and Youngest Ever to Lead the Global Cricket Body

Jay Shah, the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has officially assumed the role of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), becoming the youngest-ever person to hold the position at 34. Shah is also the fifth Indian to lead the global cricket governing body, following in the footsteps of figures like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, and N. Srinivasan.

Shah’s rise to the ICC chairmanship follows his leadership role as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019, and as President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since 2021. His election to the ICC was unanimous, and he officially stepped down from his BCCI and ACC roles to focus on his new responsibilities.

In his first statement as ICC Chairman, Shah expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him. “I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” he said. He also highlighted the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly with cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympic Games and the growing prominence of the women’s game.

Shah’s leadership will also be tested by upcoming tensions, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy set to be hosted by Pakistan in 2025. India has raised concerns about security, proposing a hybrid model where India plays in Dubai. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested similar treatment for Pakistan in future tournaments hosted by India. Shah replaces Greg Barclay, who had served as ICC Chairman since 2020.