The second term of the current ICC chairman Greg Barclay ends in November 2024. Barclay does not want to become the ICC president for the third consecutive time. The news of BCCI secretary Jay Shah becoming the next ICC chairman has intensified. Let us tell you, questions are also being raised on Jay Shah that he has forced Barclay not to consider a third term.

Meanwhile, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar spoke openly on the matter and blamed the ‘Old Powers’ of cricket for tarnishing the image of Jay Shah. Gavaskar also stressed that Jay Shah’s becoming the ICC President will have a positive impact on World Cup cricket as it has on Indian cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar got angry on the ‘Old Powers’ of cricket

Former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column on Sportstar,

In all likelihood, Jay Shah will be the next ICC President. As he has done for Indian cricket, players around the world, both male and female, will benefit. When Greg Barclay announced his decision not to go for a third term, which he deserved, there were reports in the ‘Old Powers’ media that Jay Shah had forced Barclay’s decision.

Gavaskar further wrote,

When the perennial cribbers were questioned about what their representatives of the ‘Old Powers’ were doing, it suddenly occurred to them that if Barclay was indeed forced not to seek a third term, what were their own representatives at the ICC doing at the meeting. Where were their voices of disapproval? And if there were none, they were equally guilty of pointing fingers. This is called the ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’ (criticising a person because of his success) and also the realisation that they no longer run international cricket.”

Jay Shah has done a great job as BCCI secretary. He played a key role in introducing equal pay for men’s and women’s cricket in India. He also recently announced a system to promote red-ball cricket and also announced prize money for Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament in all women’s and junior cricket tournaments.