The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah has been selected for the Young Global Leaders Class of 2026 by the World Economic Forum. The honour recognises his growing role in shaping the future of cricket around the world.
Shah, who earlier became the youngest secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has been involved in several important developments in the sport. He has played a key part in IPL operations, supported the rise of women’s cricket, and helped secure major media rights deals. He has also been closely involved in bringing cricket back to the Olympics, with the sport set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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"Shah's selection underscores his growing influence in international cricket administration. As ICC Chairman, he has focused on expanding the sport's global footprint, strengthening international partnerships, and positioning cricket for long-term growth across established and emerging markets," said a press release.
The statement also highlighted his role in cricket’s Olympic return.
"He has also played a key role in cricket's re-induction into the Olympics for the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. Through this recognition, Shah joins a global network of leaders driving impact across sectors, reinforcing India's presence on influential international platforms while lending further momentum to the growth of the game," it added.
The Young Global Leaders (YGL) group includes 118 individuals under the age of 40 from 55 countries. These leaders come from different fields such as public service, science, business, and culture, and are seen as people driving change globally.
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"This year's cohort includes global figures such as Tomas Okmanas, Co-Founder and CEO of Nord Security; Thea LaFond; Jennifer Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO of WIZ.AI; and Professor Sally Nuamah, among others," the release added.