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Jay Shah elevation as the next Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC) was met with unanimous support, a testament to his achievements and leadership. The BCCI Secretary’s success in securing lucrative broadcast deals and organizing major cricket events played a significant role in his unopposed candidacy. Shah, who has been at the helm of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and has served as the Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since January 2021, was officially selected as the ICC Chair on December 1, 2024.
Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave praised Shah’s leadership, noting his significant contributions, including the successful hosting of the Women’s Premier League, the 50-over World Cup in India, and substantial broadcast deals with the IPL and the BCCI. “The ICC board is focused on progress rather than internal politics. Jay Shah’s leadership has been exemplary and his track record speaks for itself,” Grave told The Indian Express.
Shah was the sole nominee for the ICC chairmanship after the incumbent Chair, Greg Barclay, chose not to seek a third term. In his acceptance, Shah expressed his commitment to enhancing the global appeal of cricket, particularly with its upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics—a milestone he views as crucial for the sport expansion.
I am deeply honored to be nominated as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah said in a statement provided by the ICC. I look to forward a collaborating closely with the ICC team and our member nations to elevate the global profile of cricket. We are at a pivotal moment where it is essential to balance various formats, embrace advanced technologies and expand our marquee events into new markets. Our mission is to make cricket more inclusive and popular worldwide.”
Shah emphasized the need to build on past experiences while embracing innovation. The inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Olympics is a transformative opportunity for the sport. It will propel cricket to new heights and foster unprecedented global growth,” he added. As the youngest person to assume the role of ICC Chair, Jay Shah follows in the footsteps of notable Indian leaders such as Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar. His election marks a significant moment for the ICC, setting the stage for a new chapter in the sport’s global evolution and outreach.
Why Jay Shah was Unanimously Voted in as ICC Chairman? Cricket West Indies CEO
Jay Shah appointment as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman marks a historic moment as he becomes the youngest individual to hold this prestigious position for a term of two years. His unanimous selection is a testament to his impactful tenure as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary. Johnny Grave, the CEO of Cricket West Indies, shed light on Shah qualifications and achievements that led to his selection.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Grave highlighted Shah’s successful management of major cricket events during his time with the BCCI. Shah played a crucial role in overseeing the 2023 ODI World Cup and securing substantial revenue through broadcast deals for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and bilateral series involving India. His efforts in launching the Women’s Premier League (WPL) were particularly noteworthy, significantly boosting the profile of women’s cricket.
The ICC board is focused on progress rather than internal politics. Jay Shah’s leadership at the BCCI has been exceptional. He successfully hosted the Women’s Premier League, managed the 50-over World Cup in India, and negotiated major broadcast deals with the IPL and for the BCCI,” Grave said, as reported by The Indian Express. Grave also noted that Shah aligns well with the ICC’s expectations for its new chairperson. The board anticipates that Shah will bring the same level of success to global cricket as he did with the BCCI.
An anonymous ICC board member added, “We are dealing with a rights holder from the Indian subcontinent, which is a significant revenue contributor. Jay has demonstrated his ability to secure lucrative deals for the IPL and bilateral series. This expertise is exactly what the ICC needs. One of Shah’s major challenges will be revitalizing Test cricket, which has faced a disparity in competitiveness between top teams and lower-ranked sides. There is a pressing need to incentivize and support lesser teams to embrace and excel in the format.
The BCCI Secretary Shah introduced the ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme. which provided additional income to players participating in Test matches. This initiative followed India’s victory over England in Dharamsala in March 2024. The scheme was aimed at promoting the longest format of the game and could serve as a model for similar incentives under Shah’s leadership at the ICC.
What will be BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s salary as ICC chairman?
Jay Shah, currently serving as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to take on the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) starting December 1. This transition has led to speculation about how his compensation at the ICC will compare to his current earnings with the BCCI. As BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah holds an “honorary” position, meaning he does not receive a regular salary. This is also the case for other senior positions within the BCCI, including the president, vice president, and treasurer. Instead of a fixed salary, these officials are compensated through allowances and reimbursements, as reported by Mykel.
For his duties, Shah earns approximately ₹84,000 (around $1,000) per day for participating in international cricket meetings or tours. For domestic meetings and he receive a ₹40,000 daily and travels in business class. Additionally, Shah is entitled to ₹30,000 per day for work-related trips within India that do not involve meetings. The BCCI also covers his accommodation expenses, often booking luxury hotel suites for his stays, according to the publication.
The ICC’s compensation structure for its high-ranking officials is similar to that of the BCCI. There is no fixed salary for roles like the chairman; instead, compensation is provided through allowances and benefits associated with the position. The ICC has not disclosed specific details about these payments. However, officials, including the chairman, receive remuneration for attending meetings and fulfilling their duties, which covers various expenses and ensures they can focus on their responsibilities without financial concerns.
while Jay Shah role as a ICC Chairman will bring a new responsibilities and a global platform and his compensation structure will remain aligned with his current arrangements. Both the BCCI and ICC rely on allowances and reimbursements rather than fixed salaries for their top officials and allowing them to effectively manage their roles and responsibilities.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah Becomes Youngest-Ever ICC Chairman
BCCI secretary Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the next International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, making him the youngest ever to reach the pinnacle of global cricket administration.
• The 35-year-old Shah will take over from 62-year-old incumbent Greg Barclay on December 1 after the New Zealander decided against running for a third consecutive term of two years.
• Shah was the sole nominee for the chairmanship.
• Shah, who is the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will relinquish his position in India at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Annual General Meeting likely to be held towards the end of next month or in October.
• Shah became the fifth Indian after Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar to be elected for the high-profile job.
• Shah formal entry into cricket administration was in 2009 when he started working at the district level with the Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA).
• He then moved to state level administration as an executive with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and ultimately became its Joint secretary in 2013.
