Jay Shah to take over top job in cricket and strengthen India's dominance

It's cricket's worst-kept secret. The all-powerful Jay Shah is on the verge of ascending to the top of world cricket after International Cricket Council acting chairman Greg Barclay confirmed he will not seek a third term.

As I announced last month, Shah, the sport's most influential official – as was particularly evident when he came into the spotlight after India's T20 World Cup triumph – will put himself forward to lead the ICC Board, where the power in world cricket lies.

ForbesJay Shah's big decision is overshadowed by the election of the Associate Members of CricketFrom Tristan Lavalette

Barclays' second two-year term ends in November. He could have run again, although the chairman's term limit was changed from a maximum of three two-year terms to two three-year terms.

But on Tuesday evening he informed the ICC board that he would not run again. According to a report in The ageShah has informed Barclay of his intention to replace him and that he has the numbers to do so.

As I reported last month, experienced board members Imran Khwaja, who ran against Barclay in a polarising chairmanship election in 2020, and Tavengwa Mukuhlani – who withdrew her candidacy for the 2022 election – had long ago decided not to run, knowing the signs of the times were clear.

Everyone knew that if Shah were to run, he would be counting on the majority of votes, as India is a goldmine in the sport and is a huge financial power and absolutely dominates the sport financially.

Shah, whose father Amit Shah is India's home minister and the right-hand man of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, became secretary of the Indian cricket governing body in 2019 but will not be eligible to run for president until 2028.

In the meantime, Shah has the opportunity to officially take over the leadership of the ICC. Some believe that as chairman of cricket's richest and most powerful governing body, he already has a lot of influence over world politics. He also chairs the ICC's powerful Finance and Trade Committee.

As I reported last month, Shah's shadow was present during the recent Associates campaign. He is known to have been active behind the scenes, apparently wanting his preferred candidates on a board he was soon to head.

ForbesChanges in the all-powerful cricket board, Jay Shah has his eye on the chairmanshipFrom Tristan Lavalette

Khwaja, Mubashshir Usmani, who was on the influential Chief Executives' Committee and heads the Emirates Cricket Board, and Mahinda Vallipuram won the three coveted positions on the ICC board.

Vallipuram, the former Malaysian chief who lost his seat on the board in 2022, worked closely with Shah on the Asian Cricket Council.

Since Shah has raised his voice, this time around, this takeover of power, which has been in the making for a long time, will not result in the usual mudslinging.