Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has officially taken over as the youngest Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), succeeding Greg Barclay. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed confidence in Shah's ability to elevate cricket on the global stage. Harbhajan noted that Shah would likely replicate the impactful work he accomplished at the BCCI, pinpointing his potential to bring smaller nations into mainstream cricket.
At the inaugural event of the World Tennis Cricket League in New Delhi, Harbhajan remarked that Shah’s leadership could ensure greater participation from emerging cricketing nations and strengthen the sport’s global appeal.
Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy 2025 remains a topic of debate. Originally set to be hosted by Pakistan, the tournament is expected to adopt a hybrid model after India communicated to the ICC that its government would not permit the team to travel to Pakistan. Responding to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) resistance to this arrangement, Harbhajan stated that the PCB is free to decide whether to participate. He added that ICC events could proceed successfully even without Pakistan’s involvement.
Harbhajan also commended India’s strong start in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where the team secured a dominant victory against Australia in the first Test under stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. The performance was followed by another win against the Australian Prime Minister's XI in a limited-overs game, rescheduled due to rain. Rohit Sharma, having rejoined the squad after the birth of his second child, continues to face scrutiny over his batting form, as he managed just three runs in the match. Harbhajan, however, downplayed concerns over Rohit’s form, attributing the dip to a rough patch that began during the New Zealand series.
"Rohit Sharma's form is not a concern. However, I would pick Dhruv Jurel in the playing 11 and rest Shubman Gill for the second Test," said Harbhajan.
The second Test promises to be a critical encounter as India aims to maintain its momentum in the series.