Shah expressed his intent to advancing the global reach and popularity of cricket, particularly with its upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics
Our Bureau
Mumbai
The Indian Cricket fraternity gave best wishes to newly appointed International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Tuesday. Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the next Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah, who has served as the BCCI Secretary since October 2019 and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, will assume this prestigious role on December 1, 2024.
Shah was the sole nominee for the chairmanship after current Chair Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term, as per a media release by ICC.
Upon his election, Shah expressed his intent to advancing the global reach and popularity of cricket, particularly with its upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics–a moment he views as a pivotal opportunity for the sport’s growth.
“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah stated as quoted by ICC.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya took to social media and congratulated Jay Shah following his appointment. “Congratulations @JayShah bhai on being elected as the youngest chairman of ICC. Look forward to seeing you take cricket to even greater heights. Your vision and drive will help ICC, just like it did with BCCI,” Pandya wrote on X.
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh gave 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. Confident that the ICC will benefit from your experience of handling Indian cricket. Your leadership will guide world cricket to a new height. My best wishes,” Harbhajan posted on X.
Men in Blue head coach, Gautam Gambhir also congratulated Jay Shah. “Many congrats @JayShah bhai! I know world cricket will grow tremendously under your exceptional leadership!” Gambhir wrote on X.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan on Thursday congratulated Jay Shah on becoming the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman and expressed hope that the incumbent Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary will be able to make all three formats of international cricket a priority for all in the age of T20 franchise cricket.
Buchanan, who won the 2003 and 2007 World Cups with Australia as a coach, was speaking at a launch event of multi-sports foundation program ‘Ready Steady Go Kids’ with CP Goenka International School on Thursday in partnership with Sports Gurukul. Shah has been elected unopposed as the next Chairman of the ICC. Shah, who has served as the BCCI Secretary since October 2019 and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, will assume this prestigious role on December 1, 2024.
Speaking to ANI about Shah’s appointment to the top position in world cricket, Buchanan said, “Congratulations to him. It is wonderful from BCCI’s point of view to have him there. Cricket needs his great decision-making at the ICC level. There have been talks of getting rid of ODIs in the age of popular T20Is, T20s, T10 competitions and matches. There are plenty of things that can entice quality players to play for a club rather than their country. I do not think this is healthy, representing your country is your highest privilege. I hope Shah will be able to work on it along with the ICC administration and make all three formats of the game equal in priority.”
On the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India at home from November 22 this year, Buchanan said that being able to adapt to conditions and being at the top physically and mentally will decide the winner.
“All the tests are happening in a matter of seven weeks. There are five Tests. In the Australian team, there are one or two players under 30 years of age while for India there are three or four such players. It is a battle of veterans really. This series will test everybody both physically and mentally and whoever is better in these two aspects, will be the victor,” said Buchanan.
“Australia has got a powerful line-up, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. There is also Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh with their pace bowling. For India, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will be there, and so will Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Pace and bounce will always be there in Australia and batters will have to find a way to deal with it,” he added.
