Greg Barclay Steps Down as ICC Chairman, Eyes Turn to Jay Shah’s Potential Bid

New Delhi: Greg Barclay, the current ICC Chairman, has announced that he will not seek a third term, with his tenure set to end on November 30, 2024. This decision has ignited discussions within the cricketing world about who might succeed him, with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emerging as a strong potential candidate.

Barclay, a New Zealand lawyer, has served as the Independent ICC Chair since November 2020 and was re-elected in 2022. Under ICC rules, a chairman can serve up to three two-year terms, but Barclay has chosen to step down after completing four years, leaving the position open for new leadership.

The process to elect the next ICC Chairman involves 16 votes, with a simple majority of nine votes (51%) now required to win. Previously, a two-thirds majority was necessary, making the election more competitive. The deadline for nominations is August 27, but it remains to be seen if Jay Shah will decide to enter the race.

Jay Shah, who currently heads the ICC’s powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures within the ICC boardroom. He enjoys strong support among the 16 voting members, a key advantage if he chooses to run for the chairmanship.

Shah has one year remaining in his role as BCCI Secretary before he must enter a mandatory three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025. According to the BCCI constitution, an office bearer can serve for six years before a cooling-off period is required, with a maximum tenure of 18 years split between state associations and the BCCI. Should Shah transition to the ICC with a year left in his BCCI role, he would still have four years remaining within the BCCI.

At just 35 years old, Shah could become the youngest chairman in ICC history if he decides to run. His potential candidacy would place him among the ranks of distinguished Indians who have previously held the ICC’s top position, including Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.

As the August 27 deadline for nominations approaches, the cricketing world is keenly watching to see if Jay Shah will step forward to take on this significant role in global cricket.