Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is leaving the organisation and will take over as the Independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Given his clout in politics and business, Shah’s elevation to this position represents not only a personal achievement but a change in the world cricket scene.
The 35-year-old is extremely powerful both domestically and internationally. He is the son of India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah. Shah has demonstrated a deep comprehension of the commercial aspects of the sport as well as its complexities. Citing injury dangers and the need to respect players, he recently said that he would not be forcing elite Indian players to compete in domestic competitions.
There are a number of difficulties facing cricket at the moment, including Jay Shah’s impending appointment as ICC chairman.
Significant obstacles include the sport’s re-entry into the Olympics in 2028, the expanding power of home T20 and T10 teams, and the intricate geopolitical tensions—particularly the tense ties between India and Pakistan.
Furthermore, the financial strain on the world game is evident in the ongoing negotiations between the ICC and broadcasters like Disney Star, who are purportedly looking for a reduction in their USD 3 billion deal.
There are concerns regarding Shah’s leadership style when he assumes this position. There is much anticipation about whether he will adopt an inclusive stance or stick to his reputation of exercising centralised authority at the BCCI.
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In the meanwhile, he is expected to be succeeded by Rohan Jaitley, a fellow BJP sports administrator and the late Arun Jaitley’s son.