The newly-appointed chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Jay Shah, has arrived in Brisbane. Reports confirm that the former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) landed in Australia earlier today aboard a Singapore Airlines flight. Accompanying him on this trip is Devajit Saikia, the joint secretary of the BCCI.
Both officials have checked into the Hotel Sofitel, which also serves as the accommodation for India’s Test team. According to a Cricbuzz report, Shah is slated to attend a crucial meeting related to the 2032 Summer Olympics, set to take place in Brisbane. Alongside this agenda, Shah is expected to be present for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, which is scheduled to begin on December 14, 2024.
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Shah’s visit holds significant implications not only for Indian cricket but also for international cricket governance. Having recently stepped down as BCCI secretary to assume an independent role at the ICC, Shah’s responsibilities now involve navigating complex global issues. One such pressing matter is the uncertain status of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As reported earlier, ICC Chair Jay Shah has reached Brisbane for a likely Olympic committee meet.
READ ▶️ https://t.co/wecgdTCV1b#JayShah #Olympics #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/1LLIq0aeRT
— TOI Sports (@toisports) December 11, 2024
While Pakistan is the designated host for the event, India’s reluctance to travel to the neighbouring country has left the venue and schedule unresolved. Shah’s diplomatic efforts during his Brisbane visit could play a pivotal role in shaping future discussions.
Furthermore, Shah has received an invitation from Cricket Australia (CA) and New South Wales (NSW) Cricket to attend the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, scheduled for January 3, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It remains to be seen how this ongoing trip will influence his potential attendance at the SCG.
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Now independent of his BCCI affiliation, Shah may attend the third Test at the Gabba with hopes of witnessing a resurgence from the Indian team. After suffering a crushing 10-wicket defeat to Australia at the Adelaide Oval, the series is finely balanced at 1-1, making the upcoming match a critical decider in the contest.
