Greg Barclay Opts Out of Third Term as ICC Chairman, Speculation Grows Around Jay Shah’s Potential Candidacy
New Delhi: Current ICC Chairman Greg Barclay has announced that he will not seek a third term, with his tenure set to conclude on November 30, 2024. This decision has sparked widespread speculation regarding the future of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah at the sport’s governing body.
Barclay, a New Zealand-based attorney, has served as the Independent ICC Chair since November 2020 and was re-elected in 2022. With the possibility of serving three terms of two years each, Barclay’s decision to step down after four years has left the ICC in search of a new leader.
The election for the next ICC Chairman involves 16 votes, with a simple majority of nine votes (51%) now required to win the position. Previously, a two-thirds majority was necessary. The deadline for nominations for the chairman’s post is August 27, and it remains unclear whether Jay Shah will decide to enter the race.
Jay Shah, currently the head of the ICC’s powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee, is considered one of the most influential figures within the ICC board. He enjoys significant goodwill among the 16 voting members, a key factor that could work in his favor if he chooses to pursue the chairmanship.
Shah still has one year left as the BCCI Secretary before he must undergo a mandatory three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025. According to the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court, an office bearer can serve for six years before requiring a cooling-off period, with a total possible tenure of 18 years split between state associations and the BCCI. If Shah decides to transition to the ICC with a year remaining in his BCCI role, he would still have four years left in the BCCI.
At just 35 years old, Shah has the potential to become the youngest chairman in the history of the ICC. His possible candidacy would add him to the distinguished list of Indians who have previously held the ICC’s top position, including Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
As the August 27 nomination deadline approaches, the cricket world will be closely watching to see if Jay Shah decides to take the next step in his already illustrious career.
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