Newly appointed International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah has flown to Australia, raising eyebrows amid ongoing deliberations regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His trip to attend a meeting with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics Organising Committee has sparked discussions about the timing, given the unresolved issues surrounding the Champions Trophy.
Jay Shah officially assumed his role as ICC Chairman on December 1, becoming the youngest ever to hold the position at just 36 years old. He is also the fifth Indian to lead cricket’s global governing body, succeeding Greg Barclay, who served since November 2020. Shah’s initial term will span two years, with the possibility of two extensions.
In Brisbane, Shah participated in discussions to advocate for cricket’s inclusion in the 2032 Olympics. Having been instrumental in securing cricket’s spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Shah’s continued efforts aim to solidify the sport’s place on the Olympic stage. Sharing glimpses of his meeting on social media, Shah expressed his enthusiasm for cricket’s Olympic journey.
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“Very exciting time ahead for cricket’s involvement in the Olympics movement – a meeting with the @Brisbane_2032 organizing committee in Brisbane, Australia today,” Shah wrote in a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
Very exciting time ahead for Cricket’s involvement in the Olympics movement – a meeting with the @Brisbane_2032 organizing committee in Brisbane, Australia today.@ICC | @Olympics | @CricketAus | @BCCI | #brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/JVyMbkCYrz
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) December 12, 2024
While Shah’s advocacy for cricket’s Olympic future is commendable, his sudden departure has reignited questions about the Champions Trophy 2025 discussions. Recently, the ICC approved a hybrid model for the 50-over tournament, with India slated to play their matches in Dubai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pushing for a similar arrangement for other future ICC events in India. However, the BCCI has firmly stated that knockout matches will be played on Indian soil. Meanwhile, India’s men’s cricket team is in Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
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After a commanding 295-run victory in Perth, the team faltered in Adelaide, suffering a 10-wicket defeat. With the series tied 1-1, all eyes are on the pivotal third Test at the Gabba, beginning December 14. Both teams are eager to take the lead in this high-stakes contest, which could play a significant role in determining qualification for the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final.
