Under the transformative leadership of Jay Shah, cricket has entered a golden era defined by equality, reform, and global expansion. As BCCI Secretary and now ICC Chairman, Mr. Shah has led a movement that reshaped not just how cricket is governed but how it is envisioned for future generations.
At the helm of the ICC, he has brought reformist energy and a commitment to inclusivity that have set new global benchmarks. His landmark decision to introduce equal prize money for men’s and women’s tournaments in 2023 was a turning point for gender equality in sports. Strengthening the ICC’s financial framework after the COVID-19 pandemic, he championed sustainability, transparency, and strategic growth—ensuring that cricket continues to thrive across emerging nations.
Mr. Shah’s instrumental role in cricket’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics stands as a historic achievement. Personally leading the ICC’s successful pitch to the International Olympic Committee, he fulfilled a decades-long dream of bringing cricket back to the world’s biggest sporting arena.
His journey began at the BCCI, where he revolutionized Indian cricket’s operations with governance reforms that prioritized transparency, professionalism, and data-driven decision-making. Under his leadership, the IPL grew into a global sports phenomenon with record-breaking media rights, and the Women’s Premier League emerged as the largest women’s sporting league in the world. He implemented India’s landmark pay parity policy, ensuring equal match fees for men and women cricketers—a step that inspired other sports bodies globally.
Beyond the glamour of leagues, Mr. Shah revitalized the domestic structure, significantly increasing prize money and match fees, and launching the Test Cricket Incentive Scheme to reignite interest in red-ball cricket. He also expanded the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru into a world-class hub for high-performance training and rehabilitation, setting new standards for player development.
These reforms have yielded remarkable success on the field. India’s cricketing dominance reached new heights with five ICC trophies in just three years across men’s and women’s categories, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and most recently, India’s first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025.
Reflecting on the historic women’s victory, Jay Shah remarked, “India finally lifts the World Cup! Last night was a landmark in the history of women’s cricket. Increased investment, pay parity with men’s cricketers, and the competitive spirit born from the WPL have shaped this incredible achievement.”
With vision and conviction, Jay Shah has not only modernized cricket’s governance but redefined its spirit. His leadership continues to unite the game under one purpose—to make cricket truly global, equitable, and limitless in possibility.
