Sunil Gavaskar lavishes praise on Jay Shah | Courtesy of IANS/PTI

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar effusive praise for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah after it became known that the 35-year-old was the favorite for the election as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council The ICAO is an international association of international criminal tribunals.

The development came against the backdrop of a confirmation by the World Cricket Association that Greg Barclay will step down after his term ends in November and will not seek a third term. Barclay has been in the top job since November 2020 and was reappointed in 2022.

Although neither Shah nor the BCCI have submitted their nominations, the BCCI secretary is expected to submit his nomination for the post before the August 27 deadline. If Shah applies, he will reportedly be elected unanimously.

Speaking about the impending appointment, Gavaskar stated that Shah’s presence will benefit cricketers worldwide and praised his work for Indian cricket. The Indian cricket legend, however, criticised “old powers” for the media reports that Barclay was forced to resign by the BCCI secretary.

“In all probability, Jay Shah will be the next ICC President. Just as he has done for Indian cricket, both men’s and women’s, players worldwide will benefit. When Greg Barclay announced his decision not to run for a third term, which is his due, there were reports in the Old Powers media that Barclay’s decision was forced by Shah,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

“It was only when the eternal complainers were asked what the representatives of their old powers were doing that they suddenly realised that if Barclay was indeed forced not to seek a third term, then what were their own representatives at the ICC doing at the meeting? Where were their objections? And if there were none, then they were as guilty as the one they were needlessly pointing fingers at. This is called the Tall Poppy Syndrome, as is the realisation that they no longer control the international game,” Gavaskar added.

The former Indian national team captain also praised the BCCI for the success of the men’s and women’s cricket teams. Gavaskar said that both players and officials are responsible for the good state of the sport in India.

“The development of Indian cricket over the years is also a credit to the BCCI and its administration. The type of cricket played by the men’s and women’s teams is another big reason why the sport is thriving in India. If the team did not win, the sponsors would stay away. The great teamwork of the players and the administration explains why Indian cricket is in such a healthy state. May it always remain so,” concluded Gavaskar.