Jay Shah has been elected as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), with his term set to officially begin on December 1. Following the announcement, cricket legends such as Anil Kumble and all-rounder Hardik Pandya were quick to congratulate him.
Shah's election came without opposition, making him the fifth Indian to assume this prestigious role, as he succeeds outgoing chair Greg Barclay. Pandya, who has closely observed Shah's rise in cricket administration, expressed his belief in Shah's "vision and drive" to further the ICC's interests, highlighting his successful tenure at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In an Instagram post, Pandya stated, "Congratulations Jay Shah bhai on being elected as the youngest chairman of the ICC. I look forward to seeing you elevate cricket to new heights. Your vision and drive will be a great asset to the ICC, just as they were with the BCCI."
Anil Kumble also weighed in, saying, "Jay Shah's election as ICC Chair marks a new chapter in global cricket. Congratulations and best wishes for the journey ahead!" Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, also extended her congratulations to Shah for his new role.
Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur emphasised that Shah's appointment symbolises India's increasing prominence on the world cricket stage.
Jay Shah began his career in cricket administration in 2009 and has rapidly ascended to this key position, which will require him to resign as BCCI secretary. The ICC made the announcement of Shah's sole nomination after current chair Greg Barclay chose not to pursue a third term.
In expressing his gratitude for the nomination, Jay Shah shared his ambition to globalise cricket. "I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to promote cricket on a global scale. We are at a crucial moment where we must balance various formats, adopt advanced technologies, and introduce major events into new international markets. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever," he affirmed.