Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, is reportedly set to take up the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He will be succeeding Greg Barclay as the new chairman of the world cricket governing body.
According to NDTV, Barclay informed ICC directors, including Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Mike Baird, during a video conference that he does not have a plan to seek a third term as chairman. Notably, his decision follows news of Shah’s intention to take up the role in November. In addition, the BCCI secretary has support from the English and Wales Cricket Board (RCB) and CA.
“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 told 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,” he added.
Under ICC rules, the election for the chairman comprises a total of 16 votes, and now a simple majority of nine votes is required (51%) to win. Previously, a two-thirds majority was necessary for a prospect to become chairman.
Shah currently has one year remaining as the secretary of India’s cricket governing body. Following that, he will need to enter a mandatory cooling-off period of three years which will begin in October 2025. According to the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court of India, an office bearer can serve for up to six years in a row before needing a cooling-off period of three years. Notably, one will be able to hold office for a maximum of 18 years—nine years in a state association and as many years in the BCCI.
If Shah chooses to transition to the ICC this year, he will have four years remaining with the BCCI. Additionally, if he is elected the 35-year-old will become the youngest chairman in the history of ICC.
Previously, only four Indians have led the ICC- Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997–2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010–2012) as presidents, and N Srinivasan (2014–2015) and Shashank Manohar (2015–2020) as chairmen.
