How Jay Shah's Leadership At BCCI Made India A Cricketing Superpower

There was massive celebration in the Indian cricketing fraternity as one of their own, Jay Shah, had become the new ICC President on Tuesday as he won the election unopposed. In 2019, five year back, Shah was elected as the BCCI Secretary for the very first time - he was merely 31 back then. He was then re-elected as BCCI secretary in 2022 and his tenure continued till 2025. During his tenure, India became a cricketing superpower in the world and a lion share of the credit has to be given to Jay Shah. While Shah faced criticism at times, on most occasions, he did the right things which helped Indian cricket grow massively. Now that he will step down as BCCI Secretary and take over the ICC Chairman from December 1, eyes would surely be on him. In this article, we look to list out the good things Shah did in his tenure as BCCI Secretary and for which his name would be etched in the India cricketing folklore forever. 

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Shah's TOP Achievements

WPL: This was big, the works and whispers about a Women's League was doing the rounds since a decade but not much had happened apart from a smattering of T20 games for the women. But after Shah took over in 2019, the whispers gained steam and eventually the world saw the Women's Premier League take off in 2023. Shah played a major role in the dream turning into reality. 

Hike in Salary of Chief Selector: Picking an Indian team is probably the toughest of jobs as you have a massive pool to pick from. And hence, it was important that the chief selector gets the right pay so that he stays motivated. In 2023, when Ajit Agarkar was appointed as India's chief selector - the salary was hiked. The salary as per reports of the chief selector was raised from Rs 1 Cr to 3 Cr. 

Conducted IPL Twice During Peak Covid: You can call it risky but it was needed. IPL not only help players with the cash flowing in but also members of the support staff and more importantly the groundstaff. And hence, it was important that IPL happens. Despite it being peak COVID season, Shah gambled and ensured IPL was held twice. 

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Brand-New NCA Ready: Upgrading the facilities and ensuring top-class conditions for players to grow as cricketers, Shah's dream of a renovated NCA is going to happen soon. According to Shah, there would be 45 practice pitches, Olympic-size swimming pool. 

Pay Parity: Kicking discrimination, Shah has ensured that men and women cricketers get equal pay and hence women cricketers are now paid the same match fee as the men: Test matches at Rs 15 lakhs, ODI matches at Rs 6 lakhs and T20I at Rs 3 lakhs.

Spotlight on Domestic: With the cricketers having a packed calendar with franchise T20 cricket happening, most young cricketers were picking T20 cricket over domestic cricket. That was not the right practice and that is why lately Shah made it clear that if cricketers want to play for the country, domestic cricket is must.