The ICC Chairman has the greatest influence on international cricket of all other positions. The chairman’s main responsibilities are to guide the ICC, to help develop international cricket, support major events, and to direct the future of the game.
The ICC Chairman has made a direct impact on several major events in the world of cricket such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the World Test Championship.
If you want to find out about the current International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, including who he is, where he comes from, what he does, how he was appointed and who came before him, this article has all the answers you’re looking for.
Who Is the Current ICC Chairman in 2026?
- Jay Shah
- Current ICC Chairman – November 2026
- Country: India
- Assumed office: 1 December 2024
- Previous chairman: Greg Barclay
- Position: Chairman of the International Cricket Council
Jay Shah was the Chairman of the International Cricket Council as of November 2026. Shah took over the position as Chairman of the International Cricket Council on December 1, 2024. He was selected for this role without opposition during a vote held by members of the International Cricket Council on August 27, 2024.
Prior to being named ICC Chairman, Jay Shah had previously held the position of Honorary Secretary for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019. In addition, he was appointed President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2021.
The appointment of BCCI President Anurag Thakur was an historic occasion in terms of Indian Cricket Administration because he was the youngest man to ever hold the position of President of the International Cricket Council (ICC). At the time of taking over the duties of President of ICC, Mr. Thakur was 36 years old.
Jay Shah replaced Greg Barclay of New Zealand, as Barclay declined to run again for the position of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
What Is the International Cricket Council (ICC)?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the world wide governing body that has responsibility for the management and development of all international cricket.
The Imperial Cricket Conference was formed in 1909. Subsequently, the name of the organization was changed to the International Cricket Conference in 1965. Then, it became known as the International Cricket Council in 1989.
The ICC is responsible for organizing international cricket events through working partnerships with national cricket associations and other member nations. In addition, the ICC creates and enforces the rules of the game of cricket as well as promoting the sport of cricket internationally.
- Organising the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
- Managing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
- Conducting the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
- Organising the ICC World Test Championship.
- Maintaining international cricket rankings.
- Supporting the development of cricket in associate nations.
- Implementing rules and regulations for international cricket.
What Are the Main Responsibilities of the ICC Chairman?
The chair of the ICC is responsible for providing leadership in administering and developing international cricket. In this capacity, the chair will be interacting with ICC Directors, Member Boards, and other Cricket Administrators.
Here are some of the major responsibilities of the ICC chairman.
1. Leading International Cricket Administration
The chairman directs the work of the ICC Board, and also directs key discussions on how international cricket will develop over time.
Governance structures and the process of the board will determine major administrative decisions made by the ICC.
2. Supporting International Cricket Tournaments
The ICC hosts some of the largest cricket competitions in the world, such as the One Day International World Cup, Twenty20 World Cup, and World Test Championship.
The Chair of the Board will lead at the governance level, and professional staff and committees of the ICC will provide support for the operation of the tournament.
3. Promoting Cricket Worldwide
The primary objective of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is to expand the reach of cricket into new territories.
The Chairman is supportive of programs that will assist in developing the cricket infrastructure for countries including, but not limited to, the U.S., Canada, Nepal and other emerging cricket-playing nations.
4. Developing Women’s Cricket
Women’s cricket is now becoming a larger component of international cricket.
The ICC is working to provide better opportunities for female players by organizing international tournaments, providing developmental programs and giving financial assistance.
5. Protecting the Future of Test Cricket
The emergence of T20 league cricket has made test cricket, which is the longest form of the sport, a challenge.
The chairman of the ICC has an active part in deciding what is needed for there to be a proper balance of test cricket, one-day cricket, and twenty-twenty cricket.
List of All ICC Chairmen in Cricket History
The ICC chairman position was established in 2014 following changes to the organisation’s governance structure.
Since its creation, four individuals have held this position.
| No. | ICC Chairman | Country | Tenure |
| 1 | N. Srinivasan | India | 2014–2015 |
| 2 | Shashank Manohar | India | 2015–2020 |
| 3 | Greg Barclay | New Zealand | 2020–2024 |
| 4 | Jay Shah | India | 2024–Present |
1. N. Srinivasan (2014–2015)
N. Srinivasan became the first ICC chairman in June 2014. He is an Indian cricket administrator who previously served as the president of the BCCI.
His appointment marked the beginning of the modern ICC chairman position.
2. Shashank Manohar (2015–2020)
Shashank Manohar succeeded N. Srinivasan in November 2015.
He became the first independent elected ICC chairman following the governance reforms introduced in 2016. During his tenure, he focused on ICC governance, financial structures and the administration of international cricket.
He served until June 2020.
3. Greg Barclay (2020–2024)
Greg Barclay, a cricket administrator from New Zealand, became ICC chairman in November 2020.
He was re-elected in 2022 and remained in the position until November 2024.
During his leadership, international cricket continued to expand through major tournaments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup.
4. Jay Shah (2024–Present)
Jay Shah became the fourth ICC chairman on 1 December 2024.
Before joining the ICC leadership, he held important positions in Indian and Asian cricket administration.
His priorities include expanding cricket globally, strengthening Test cricket, developing women’s cricket and supporting cricket’s return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
What Is the Difference Between ICC Chairman and ICC CEO?
| ICC Chairman | ICC CEO |
| Provides leadership to the ICC Board | Leads the ICC’s executive operations |
| Focuses on governance and strategic direction | Focuses on day-to-day administration |
| Works with ICC directors and member boards | Manages the ICC executive team |
| Provides organisational leadership | Implements organisational plans |
What Is the Salary of the ICC Chairman?
The salary of the ICC chairman is not publicly disclosed on his official ICC chairman profile.
The chairman’s compensation and benefits should not be mistaken for the salaries paid to cricket players, national boards’ officials, or the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer.
Jay Shah has an executive-level position with the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, there is currently no credible source that provides a definite figure for his yearly compensation as ICC Chairman.
So, all of the online claims regarding what someone makes either per month or per year are to be considered suspect, unless there is a verified source of that information.
FAQs
1. Who is the current ICC chairman in 2026?
Jay Shah is the current ICC chairman as of November 2026. He assumed office on 1 December 2024.
2. Who was the first chairman of the ICC?
N. Srinivasan of India became the first ICC chairman in June 2014.
3. Who is the youngest ICC chairman?
Jay Shah became the youngest ICC chairman when he assumed office in December 2024 at the age of 36.
4. Who was the ICC chairman before Jay Shah?
Greg Barclay from New Zealand was the ICC chairman before Jay Shah. He served from November 2020 until November 2024.
5. When did Jay Shah become ICC chairman?
Jay Shah officially became ICC chairman on 1 December 2024 after being elected unopposed on 27 August 2024.
6. Who is the current ICC CEO?
Sanjog Gupta is the current ICC CEO. He assumed the position in July 2025.
7. How many ICC chairmen have there been?
There have been four ICC chairmen since the position was established in 2014: N. Srinivasan, Shashank Manohar, Greg Barclay and Jay Shah.
8. Where is the headquarters of the ICC?
The ICC headquarters is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Conclusion
The Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) holds what many believe to be one of the most critical leadership positions within international cricket. As the person responsible for both planning and executing some of the largest international cricket events, as well as providing support to developing cricket-playing countries, the Chairman plays a significant role in developing the sport.
As of November 2026, Jay Shah is leading the International Cricket Council. He has some big chances to grow cricket, especially with it being part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The decisions made by ICC leaders will continue to be significant for the direction of the sport, as the popularity of T20 cricket, women’s cricket, and international events continues to rise.
Also Read: Jaya Bhardwaj || Washington Sundar Wife || Babar Azam T20 Runs
