At just 35, Jay Shah made history by becoming the youngest chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He was elected unopposed to this prestigious position.
Shah's formal entry into cricket administration began in 2009 when he took on a role at the district level with the Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA). His journey progressed as he joined the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), where he became joint secretary in 2013. His tenure at GCA is marked by the implementation of a structured age-group coaching system that paved the way for Gujarat's Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2016-17 season.
He has cultivated a unique and robust relationship with players across all levels of Indian cricket. Unlike his predecessors, who often consulted senior players before making decisions at the ICC, Shah has established open lines of communication with everyone from captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli to emerging talents like Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. His influence was acknowledged by Rohit Sharma, who credited Shah as one of the "three pillars" behind India's T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies.
Shah's leadership shone brightly during the Covid -19 pandemic, as he managed the creation of bio-secure bubbles for the IPL and oversaw the completion of tournaments despite numerous challenges. His visionary leadership was further exemplified by the successful launch of the Women's Premier League (WPL), which set a new benchmark for women's cricket globally.
