August 27, 2024, Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), becoming the youngest person to hold the position. At 35, Shah will succeed Greg Barclay who has decided not to seek a third term. Barclay, 62, has stepped down after his term and Shah will take over from December 1, 2024.

Jay Shah’s election is a big milestone as he becomes the fifth Indian to lead the ICC. His new role comes with the responsibility of steering global cricket through exciting opportunities and challenges.

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Here’s a look at the previous Indian figures who have held high-profile positions within the ICC:

• Jagmohan Dalmiya: The pioneer among Indians in international cricket governance, Jagmohan Dalmiya was the first Indian to become ICC President. Elected in 1997, Dalmiya held the office for three years. His tenure was notable for granting Test status to Bangladesh and securing the hosting rights for the inaugural ICC Knockout Trophy in 1998. Dalmiya was not only the first Asian but also the first non-cricketer to lead the ICC, setting a precedent for future leaders.
• Sharad Pawar: Sharad Pawar succeeded David Morgan as ICC President in 2010, continuing the tradition of Indian leadership. Pawar, who was also a former BCCI president, served for two years, and contributed to the governance and expansion of cricket’s global footprint during his term.

• N Srinivasan: N Srinivasan took over as ICC Chairman on June 26, 2014, following constitutional changes at the ICC’s annual conference in Melbourne. His tenure was cut short when the BCCI recalled him in November 2015 and Shashank Manohar was appointed as his successor.
• Shashank Manohar: Manohar became ICC Chairman in November 2015, following Srinivasan’s departure. He served for four years, and implemented many reforms before resigning on June 30, 2020. Now with Jay Shah at the helm, he has the challenge of taking cricket to new heights and making it more popular.

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Jay Shah said, “I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council. I will work closely with the ICC team and our member nations to globalise cricket. We are at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, adopt advanced technologies and introduce our marquee events to new global markets. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.” Shah also emphasized the importance of cricket’s inclusion in LA 2028 Olympics as a game-changer.