BCCI Secretary Jay Shah Set To Become Youngest ICC Chairman, Replacing New Zealand's Greg Barclay

Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is reportedly set to succeed Greg Barclay as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

During a video conference, Barclay informed ICC directors, including Cricket Australia’s chair Mike Baird, that he would not seek a third term in the role.

His decision comes after being informed of Jay Shah's intentions to replace him in November, NDTV reported.

Shah has secured the support of cricket boards from England and Australia, ensuring he has the majority required to lead the ICC.

In the history of the global cricket body, only two Indians—Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997 to 2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012)—have held the position of ICC chief.

Jay Shah, who is the son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, will become the third Indian to assume this prestigious role when he officially replaces Greg Barclay in November.

At 35, Shah is poised to become the youngest chairman in the history of the ICC.

"ICC chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the independent ICC chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022," an ICC spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Age.

"Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new chair commencing on 1 December 2024," the spokesperson added.

According to ICC rules, the chairman's election comprises 16 votes, and a simple majority of nine votes (51 per cent) is now sufficient to secure the position. Earlier, a two-third majority was required to become the chairman.

Shah has garnered considerable goodwill among the 16 voting members.

He currently has one year remaining in his role as BCCI secretary before entering a mandatory three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025.

Under the BCCI constitution, approved by the Supreme Court, an office bearer can serve for six years before being required to observe a three-year cooling-off period.

In total, an individual can hold office for up to 18 years—nine years in a state association and nine years in the BCCI.

If Shah transitions to the ICC with one year remaining in his BCCI secretaryship, he will still have four years of eligibility left within the BCCI.

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