Cricket legends Anil Kumble and all-rounder Hardik Pandya were among the first to extend their congratulations to Jay Shah following his election as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The BCCI secretary is set to assume the role on December 1.
Pandya and Kumble were at the forefront of the congratulatory messages after Shah was elected unopposed as the new chair of the ICC, making him the fifth Indian to hold this significant position. He will replace outgoing chair Greg Barclay officially on December 1.
Hardik Pandya, who has closely witnessed Jay Shah's ascent in cricket administration, expressed confidence in Shah’s "vision and drive" to enhance the ICC, referencing his successful tenure with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"Congratulations Jay Shah bhai on being elected as the youngest chairman of the ICC. I look forward to seeing you elevate cricket to new heights. Your vision and drive will be a great asset to the ICC, just as they were with the BCCI," Pandya wrote in an Instagram post.
Anil Kumble also shared his thoughts, stating, "Jay Shah's election as ICC Chair represents a new chapter in global cricket. Congratulations and best wishes for the journey ahead!" The captain of the Indian women's cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur, also congratulated Shah on his new role.
Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur remarked that Shah's appointment as ICC chair epitomises India's growing stature on the international stage.
Jay Shah began his career in cricket administration in 2009 and has quickly advanced to this prominent position, necessitating his resignation as BCCI secretary. The ICC announced that Shah was the only nominee for the chairmanship after current Chair Greg Barclay opted not to seek a third term.
Expressing his gratitude for the nomination, Jay Shah outlined his vision to globalise cricket in the coming years. "I am committed to collaborating closely with the ICC team and our member nations to promote cricket worldwide. We are at a pivotal juncture where it's essential to balance various formats, embrace advanced technologies, and introduce major events to new international markets. Our objective is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever," he stated.