Jay Shah forced Greg Barclay to step down as ICC chairman? Sunil Gavaskar drops huge statement

Sunil Gavaskar has thrown all his support behind Jay Shah who is likely to become the next ICC chairman after Greg Barclay has denied the third term.

Jay Shah is expected to win the elections unopposed but should there be an election more than one candidature will need to be submitted.

It’s being widely reported in the media that BCCI secretary Jay Shah could file his nomination for the post and should he do so, it’s likely he will become the next ICC head given the support he has from within the board. The last day for filing of nomination is August 27.

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar feels that Shah’s appointment will have wider implications for the growth of global cricket given his track record as BCCI administrator.

“In all probability, Jay Shah will be the next ICC president. Just as he has done for Indian cricket, both men and women, players worldwide will benefit,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the Sportstar.

He has also hit out at critics without naming them, who suggested that it was Shah who might have forced Barclay not seek a third term which he was entitled to.

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“When Greg Barclay announced his decision not to go for a third term, which he was entitled to, there were reports in the media of the Old Powers that Barclay’s decision had been forced by Shah,” Gavaskar wrote.

“Only when the perennial cribbers were questioned about what the representatives of their Old Powers were doing did it suddenly occur to them that if indeed Barclay was forced to not seek a third term, then what were their own representatives at the ICC doing at the meeting?” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar further wrote that Jay Shah is being criticized because the Old powers have now realized that they are powerless and hence trying to create unnecessary pressure on him before he takes his position.

“Where were their voices of objection? And if there were none, then they were as culpable as the one they were unnecessarily pointing a finger at. It’s called the Tall poppy syndrome as well as the realisation that they don’t run the international game anymore,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.

Sunil Gavaskar Pens Tribute To Jay Shah

He further credited Shah for changing the face of Indian cricket and its administration over the last few years. He further added that now as the ICC President, Shah will look to improve the state of affairs for world cricket.

“The way Indian cricket has shaped up over the years is also a tribute to the BCCI and its administration,” he said. “The kind of cricket that the teams, both men and women, have been playing is another huge reason why the sport is flourishing in India.”

“If the team was not winning, the sponsors would stay away. Terrific teamwork from both the players and the administrators explains why Indian cricket is in such a healthy state. May it always remain so,” he added.

Jay Shah's biggest contribution to Indian cricket was that he brought equal pay for men and women cricketers of the Indian national cricket team.

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