The Indian Express has released its “100 Most Powerful Indians” list for 2024, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah has been positioned ahead of cricket icons like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in terms of influence and power.
Jay Shah secured the 35th position on the list, surpassing notable cricketers such as Virat Kohli, who holds the 38th spot as the highest-ranked player. In contrast, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are positioned at 58th and 68th places, respectively. The media outlet dubbed Jay Shah as ‘undoubtedly the most influential figure in global cricket.’
Jay Shah made his foray into cricket administration in 2013 with the Gujarat Cricket Association before assuming the role of BCCI secretary in 2019. In 2021, he became the youngest president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and secured re-election to the same position earlier this year.
“Already the youngest Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief, he is in line to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman. Shah played a big role in the BCCI’s share of ICC’s revenues nearly doubling — from 22.8 percent to 38.5 percent.
“This means the BCCI will now get $231 million annually from the international body. The BCCI secretary also got his way during last year’s Asia Cup, refusing to allow India to travel to Pakistan and forcing the hosts to travel to a neutral venue to play India. Shah has unprecedented control over the BCCI that was once known for its intense power struggles and factional fighting,” Express added.
