Let’s be real—cricket is more than just a sport. It’s a global obsession, a cultural force, and, depending on where you live, practically a religion. And at the heart of it all is the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body responsible for keeping the game fair, competitive, and constantly evolving. Think of it as the cricket world’s version of the UN—only with more spin bowling controversies and fewer security council vetoes.

At the top of this $3 billion cricket empire sits the ICC Chairman, the person who calls the shots on everything from scheduling major tournaments to expanding the game into new territories. It’s a role that has evolved massively over the years, shifting from a ceremonial gig to one of the most powerful jobs in global sports governance.

Right now, all eyes are on Jay Shah, the newly elected youngest-ever ICC Chairman. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s been a dominant figure in cricket administration for years, having served as the BCCI Secretary and President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). In December 2024, he officially took over from Greg Barclay, and let’s just say—his arrival is already shaking things up.

Shah has a big, bold vision for the future of cricket. He’s been talking about making cricket a truly global game, pushing for its return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028, and ramping up investment in women’s cricket. But that’s just the beginning. Much like Monopoly Big Baller Live, where strategy and big moves define the game, his tenure could be a defining moment for cricket’s expansion—and, if history is any indication, the politics and power plays behind the scenes will be just as fascinating as the on-field action.

The Role and Responsibilities of the ICC Chairman

So what exactly does the Chairman of the ICC do? Picture the job as a mix of CEO, commissioner, and diplomat, with a little bit of power broker thrown in. The Chairman isn’t there to micromanage every LBW decision, but he does shape the big-picture strategy of the sport, making decisions that affect billions of fans, thousands of players, and, of course, the powerful cricket boards that control the game’s finances.

Key Responsibilities of the ICC Chairman:

Governance and Leadership

The ICC Chairman is the architect of international cricket. He leads board meetings, ensures that member nations stick to agreed-upon policies, and decides on structural changes that can reshape the future of the game. Think of it as being the Commissioner of the NBA or NFL—only with more drama and geopolitical maneuvering.

2. Representation on the Global Stage

From negotiating with Olympic officials to sealing broadcasting deals worth billions, the ICC Chairman is essentially the sport’s global ambassador. His job isn’t just about running cricket—it’s about growing its financial and cultural footprint worldwide.

3. Policy and Decision-Making

The Chairman is the final decision-maker on major cricketing issues. Whether it’s format changes, player payment structures, or disciplinary actions, his influence trickles down to the very core of the sport. The introduction of the Test Championship, the T20 World Cup expansion, and pay parity initiatives all happen under this role’s watch

4. Development of Cricket Worldwide

One of Jay Shah’s biggest missions? Taking cricket beyond its traditional strongholds. The USA, Africa, and parts of Europe are seen as the next frontiers, and the ICC Chairman plays a crucial role in ensuring that the game doesn’t remain just an India-England-Australia monopoly.

5. Financial Management and Sponsorships

Let’s be honest—cricket is a massive money-making machine, and managing the ICC’s media rights, sponsorships, and tournament revenues is a huge part of the Chairman’s job. Under Shah, we could see an even bigger push to monetize cricket globally, much like the IPL’s billion-dollar industry.

History of the ICC Chairman Position

The ICC Chairman position hasn’t always been as powerful as it is today. Back in the day, cricket’s governing system was more like a gentlemen’s club, where a rotating cast of presidents (mostly from England, Australia, and India) oversaw the sport with minimal actual power.

The Big Shift: 2014 – From ICC President to ICC Chairman

The game changed in 2014 when the ICC restructured its governance model. The position of ICC President was phased out, and a more executive, hands-on role of ICC Chairman was introduced. The first person to take on this redefined role? N. Srinivasan from India.

Since then, each ICC Chairman has left a significant mark on the game. Some have fought for better revenue sharing, some have expanded the sport’s reach, and some have been more focused on maintaining the old power structures.

Table: List of ICC Chairmen (2014-Present)

No.	Name	Country	Term Start	Term End	Time in Office
1	N. Srinivasan	India	26 July 2014	9 Nov 2015	1 year, 136 days
2	Shashank Manohar	India	22 Nov 2015	30 June 2020	4 years, 221 days
–	Imran Khwaja (Interim)	Singapore	1 July 2020	23 Nov 2020	145 days
3	Greg Barclay	New Zealand	24 Nov 2020	30 Nov 2024	4 years
4	Jay Shah	India	1 Dec 2024	Present	Incumbent

Becoming the Chairman of the ICC isn’t like getting picked as the captain of your local club team. There’s a high-stakes political game behind the scenes, and only the most influential figures in cricket administration even stand a chance.

How It Works:

Eligibility Criteria – Only senior administrators from ICC Full Member nations can be nominated.
Nomination Process – Candidates need to be backed by at least one Full Member to enter the race.
Shortlisting & Campaigning – While ICC elections are usually less aggressive than political ones, there’s still a fair bit of lobbying.
Voting System – The ICC Board (which consists of representatives from Full Members) votes via secret ballot, and a simple majority (51%) decides the winner. Unlike in the past, where a two-thirds majority was required, the new system has made it easier for candidates to win with nine out of 16 votes.

Jay Shah: The New ICC Chairman and His Vision

So what does Jay Shah bring to the table as the new ICC Chairman?

He’s the youngest person ever to hold the role.
He has a strong commercial background, having helped make IPL one of the world’s most valuable sports leagues.
He’s been instrumental in bringing cricket back to the Olympics.
He played a major role in launching the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
He secured record-breaking broadcast deals for Indian cricket, boosting global revenues.

As he put it himself:

“We are at a pivotal moment where balancing multiple formats, embracing advanced technologies, and introducing our marquee events to new markets is essential.”

Translation? Cricket is about to go big. Very big.

Challenges and Future of the ICC Under Jay Shah

Taking over as the Chairman of ICC isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Jay Shah may have a stellar track record with BCCI, but now he’s playing on an entirely different stage, dealing with a diverse mix of cricketing nations, each with its own interests, priorities, and, let’s be honest, egos. While he’s already made big promises—expanding cricket globally, securing massive broadcast deals, and taking the sport to the Olympics—he’s got some major challenges ahead.

Expanding Cricket Beyond Traditional Nations

For decades, cricket has been a sport dominated by the big three—India, England, and Australia. While these nations generate the bulk of the revenue, the ICC’s long-term success depends on expanding the game into new markets. The U.S. is shaping up to be the next big cricket battleground, especially with the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup being co-hosted there. If Shah plays his cards right, cricket could finally crack into the lucrative American sports market.

But it’s not just about the U.S. African nations, parts of Europe, and Southeast Asia are also ripe for development. The challenge? Sustained investment and engagement. These regions need proper infrastructure, high-quality coaching, and domestic leagues to create talent pipelines that don’t just fizzle out after a few years.

2. Balancing the Battle Between T20 Leagues and International Cricket

Let’s be honest—T20 leagues are taking over the cricket world. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the second-most valuable sports league in the world (per match value), and other leagues like the SA20, PSL, and ILT20 are growing fast. The problem? More and more players are choosing to become T20 specialists, skipping bilateral international series and even Test cricket to cash in on these franchise tournaments.

Shah has to figure out how to balance the interests of national teams with the explosion of T20 leagues. Can he create a global calendar that keeps everyone happy? Will the ICC impose mandatory player commitments to international cricket? These are some of the biggest questions that will define his tenure.

3. Keeping Test Cricket Alive

There was a time when every young cricketer dreamed of wearing whites and playing five-day Test matches. Now? Not so much. The money, excitement, and short attention spans of modern sports fans have pushed Test cricket into a tough spot.

To counter this, the ICC introduced the World Test Championship (WTC), but let’s be real—it hasn’t completely solved the problem. Under Shah, we could see some radical changes, like shorter Test matches (four-day games?), financial incentives for players to commit to the format, or even a revamped WTC structure to make it more engaging.

4. Financial Sustainability & Broadcasting Deals

Here’s the thing: cricket runs on TV and streaming deals. The 2023 ICC media rights deal was one of the biggest in history, and under Shah’s leadership, those numbers are only expected to grow. But there’s always a catch. The market is shifting from traditional TV to digital platforms, and how ICC navigates this transition will be key.

Should the ICC sign exclusive streaming deals with Amazon or Netflix? Should they expand their direct-to-consumer offerings? What about regional broadcasters in emerging cricket markets? These are the kinds of decisions that will make or break cricket’s financial future.

5. Strengthening Associate Member Participation

We’ve all seen those heartwarming underdog stories—Kenya making the 2003 World Cup semis, Afghanistan rising from war-torn beginnings to Test status, and Ireland shocking England at the 2011 World Cup. But for every success story, there are dozens of Associate nations that never get a fair shot.

Right now, Associate Members get limited opportunities to play against Full Members, and their access to big tournaments is restricted. Shah has the power to change that narrative by:

6. Expanding World Cup spots to give Associate nations more representation.

Ensuring consistent, high-quality fixtures against top teams. Funding grassroots cricket development in smaller nations. If Shah truly wants to globalize cricket, this will be one of his biggest tests.

Key Challenges for the ICC Chairman

Keeping Test Cricket relevant in the T20 era.
Balancing international cricket with franchise leagues.
Expanding cricket in non-traditional nations like the U.S. and Europe.
Securing massive broadcasting deals in a changing digital landscape.
Investing in women’s cricket and grassroots programs.

The Future of Cricket Under Jay Shah

Jay Shah isn’t here just to keep the ICC running—he wants to reshape the global cricketing landscape. His arrival signals a new era that could see:

Cricket’s expanding into non-traditional nations like the U.S. and Africa.
The sport’s return to the Olympics in 2028.
Major changes to Test cricket’s structure to ensure its survival.
A stronger push for gender equality and investment in women’s cricket.

Of course, none of this will be easy. Cricket has always been a politically charged sport, with different boards and leagues jockeying for power. But Shah has the commercial acumen, strategic vision, and backing of the most powerful cricketing body (BCCI) to make it happen.

So, will he succeed? Time will tell. But one thing is for sure—cricket is about to enter one of its most exciting eras yet. Buckle up.

FAQs About the ICC Chairman

Who is the current ICC Chairman?

The current ICC Chairman is Jay Shah, who took office on December 1, 2024, becoming the youngest chairman in history at just 36 years old.

How is the ICC Chairman elected?

It’s not a popularity contest, but it’s not exactly democracy in action either. The ICC Board Members (representing Full Members and some Associates) cast a secret ballot, and the winner needs a simple majority (51%) to claim the role.