Jay Shah was overwhelmingly elected as the next ICC chairman, receiving 15 out of 16 votes from ICC Board members. He will officially assume the role on December 1, 2024, making history as the youngest chairman at age 35. Shah has been actively involved in cricket administration, serving as the BCCI secretary since October 2019 and leading the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021. His significant contributions, including hosting the Women’s Premier League and managing the 50-over World Cup in India, have been recognized as major achievements. Shah also secured major broadcast deals for the IPL and BCCI, further highlighting his leadership skills.
Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave provided insight into Shah’s election, emphasizing that the ICC Board aims to minimize time spent on internal politics. Grave noted Shah’s successful track record with the BCCI, stating, “The ICC board doesn’t want to waste too much time on internal politics. If you look at Jay’s leadership at the BCCI, it has been wonderful. He has hosted the Women’s Premier League, successfully oversaw the 50-over World Cup in India, and has signed huge broadcast deals with IPL and for BCCI.” This endorsement reflects a broader consensus within the ICC Board about Shah’s potential to lead the organization effectively.
Amidst Shah’s election, former Australia head coach John Buchanan expressed his hopes for the ICC’s future under Shah’s leadership. Buchanan, who led Australia to multiple Test and ODI World Cup victories, emphasized the importance of making strategic decisions that will benefit cricket in the long term. Buchanan raised concerns about the growing number of T20 leagues and their impact on the traditional formats of the game. He stressed that while short-format cricket is popular among younger players and audiences, Test cricket remains the core of the sport.
Buchanan highlighted the critical role of Test cricket, saying, “The game is built on Test cricket. That’s the true fabric of the game.” He urged the ICC to carefully consider how many leagues they approve, as an overabundance of leagues could detract from Test cricket’s significance. Additionally, Buchanan emphasized the importance of maintaining the ODI format as a transitional bridge between Tests and T20s, stating, “We need to keep the transition game, which is the one-day game.”
He argued that it would be challenging for players to excel in just the short and long formats without the intermediary 50-over format. “It’s too difficult for players to be able to play quality cricket with only two formats, meaning a short format and a long format. We need that intervening, that transition format of 50-over cricket,” Buchanan noted.
Buchanan also acknowledged the realities facing modern cricketers, including the financial incentives offered by T20 leagues. He stated that players cannot be faulted for seeking financial security, especially considering the unpredictability of their careers due to injuries, selection issues, and age. “You want to be well paid for because you’re at the top of your game. Who knows how long they’ve got injury-wise, selection-wise, age-wise,” Buchanan said, adding that players are understandably looking to maximize their earnings during their peak years.
Looking ahead, Buchanan predicted a transition phase for the Australian Test side following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, given that many of the current players are over 30. He anticipates significant changes in the lineup as the team evolves to accommodate new talent and adapt to the demands of modern cricket.
