Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set aside as Jay Shah names his top cricketing icons

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah might have avoided getting involved in the controversy by staying away from Hardik Pandya’s selection in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, but he really loves the star all-rounder.

Well, the speculations about the rift between Hardik and Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma might have hurt the BCCI secretary, as the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper is one of his favorite cricketers of this generation, as he revealed his ‘three favorite cricket icons of all time'.

Jay Shah reveals his top three cricket icons of all time

Jay Shah recently revealed his top three cricket icons of all time, as they are Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni. Speaking with industrialist Harsh Vardhan Goenka at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, the BCCI secretary named Gavaskar, Tendulkar, and Dhoni as his favorites while acknowledging their priceless contributions to Indian cricket.

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Gavaskar, the first batter to reach 10,000 Test runs, earned his place as one of Shah's favorite cricket icons of all time. Tendulkar, who has the records for the most runs in Tests and ODIs, along with the most international centuries to his name, was another natural selection. Dhoni, India's most successful captain, was Shah’s third and last favorite cricket icon of all time.

However, the BCCI secretary and ACC president also paid tribute to modern-era legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya. Hailing their impact on Indian cricket, Shah said that Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Hardik are his favorite cricketers from this era.

Jay Shah was quoted as saying by the Times of India when asked about his favorite cricket icons: “Sunil Gavaskar, of course, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni. From the current crop, it's Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya as well.”

Jay Shah backs Hardik Pandya's selection for T20 World Cup 2024

Earlier, Shah had defended Hardik’s selection in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad by stating, “The selectors cannot choose players on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary. The squad has a good balance between form and experience.”

Notably, India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 under the charismatic captaincy of Dhoni. However, Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, but he continues to shine in the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

With five IPL titles to his name, Dhoni remains a formidable force on the field to this date. He will be seen in action on May 18, when CSK will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the do-or-die clash of the ongoing IPL 2024.

Many have speculated that it could be Dhoni's last appearance in the IPL if CSK loses the game by a significant margin against RCB on Saturday, May 18, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

On the other hand, Sunil Gavaskar is doing his commentary duty in the ongoing IPL 2024, while Sachin Tendulkar is associated with the MI as a mentor, but the team has been eliminated from the tournament.