Greg Barclay’s decision to step down from his position as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) follows discussions about Jay Shah’s upcoming bid for the role, set to take place in November. Shah, who is supported by influential cricket boards in England and Australia, has garnered substantial backing, positioning him favorably to be named the next ICC chief. Should Shah succeed Barclay, he will join the ranks of Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997 to 2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) as the only other Indians to have held the position of ICC chairman. Shah, who is also the son of India’s Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, will become the third Indian to assume this role once Barclay officially steps down in November.
Jay Shah Becomes ICC Chief in November, Youngest at 35
Srinagar, Aug 21: According to a recent report by NDTV, Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to succeed Greg Barclay as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in November of this year. This transition will mark a significant moment in cricket history, as Shah, at the age of 35, is poised to become the youngest person ever to hold this prestigious position.
Sources close to NDTV have revealed that Greg Barclay, the incumbent chairman, has communicated his decision to step down from the role for a third term during a video conference with ICC directors and Mike Baird, chairman of Cricket Australia. Barclay has expressed his intention not to seek re-election, paving the way for Shah to take over as the new leader of the global cricketing body.
Barclay Steps Down as ICC Chairman, Clearing the Path for Jay Shah’s November Ascension
ICC Chair Greg Barclay to Step Down at End of November; Nominations for Successor Due by August 27
Greg Barclay has officially confirmed that he will not seek a third term as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will step down from his role when his current tenure concludes at the end of November, as stated by an ICC spokesperson to The Age. Barclay, who was initially appointed as the independent ICC chair in November 2020 and re-elected in 2022, will complete his service by then. Current ICC directors are required to submit their nominations for the next chairman by August 27, 2024, and should more than one candidate emerge, an election will be held, with the new chair’s term set to begin on December 1, 2024. Under the updated ICC rules, the election now requires a simple majority of nine out of 16 votes (51%) for a candidate to win, a significant shift from the previous requirement of a two-thirds majority.
Jay Shah's Potential ICC Chairmanship: Navigating BCCI Tenure and Cooling-Off Rules
Jay Shah enjoys significant goodwill among the 16 voting members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), positioning him favorably for the role of chairman. Currently, Shah has one year remaining in his tenure as BCCI secretary before entering a mandatory cooling-off period of three years starting in October 2025, as stipulated by the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court. The constitution allows an office bearer to serve for up to six years before a cooling-off period, with a maximum cumulative service of 18 years—nine years in a state association and nine years within the BCCI. If Shah transitions to the ICC while still having a year left as BCCI secretary, he will have four years remaining in his BCCI term before commencing his cooling-off period. At just 35 years old, Shah is set to become the youngest chairman in ICC history, reflecting both his burgeoning influence and the unique timing of his potential new role.
Conclusion
Jay Shah’s favorable standing with the 16 ICC voting members positions him as a strong candidate for the role of ICC chairman, with the transition set for November. Currently, Shah has one year left in his term as BCCI secretary before entering a mandatory three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025. The BCCI constitution, approved by the Supreme Court, stipulates that an office bearer may serve for up to six years before a cooling-off period, with a total maximum service period of 18 years—nine years in a state association and nine years within the BCCI.
Should Shah move to the ICC while still holding a year of his BCCI tenure, he will have four years remaining in his BCCI term. At 35, Shah is poised to become the youngest chairman in ICC history, marking a significant milestone in both his career and the governance of international cricket.