Jay Shah's success in securing lucrative broadcast deals and organizing major events has been a key factor in his unanimous support for becoming the International Cricket Council's (ICC) new Independent Chair. Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave noted that the ICC board wanted to avoid internal politics and focus on Shah's effective leadership at the BCCI. Shah's accomplishments include hosting the Women's Premier League, successfully overseeing the 50-over World Cup in India, and securing significant broadcast deals for the IPL and BCCI.
Shah's unopposed election on Tuesday, with the backing of 15 out of 16 directors during the nomination stage, is unprecedented, surpassing the support previous leaders like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, or Shashank Manohar received at the ICC.
One of the primary reasons for Shah's strong support is the uncertainty surrounding the broadcast deal with Disney Star, which has implications for a proposed fund dedicated to Test cricket. Shah, along with the England Cricket Board and Cricket Australia, has been advocating for this initiative, which aims to guarantee a match fee of $10,000 for Test cricketers from other countries. However, the plan's success hinges on resolving issues with Disney Star, as any revision to their $3 billion commitment for 2027 could impact the fund, valued at approximately Rs 125 crore.
The future of the Test match fund appears uncertain until the next Future Tours Programme begins in 2027, unless a new economic model is devised. Discussions are ongoing about converting the Champions Trophy, currently an ODI tournament, into a T20 event. Shah's role in balancing T20 and preserving Test cricket could prove crucial in this context.
Grave highlighted Shah's strategic approach to addressing these issues, particularly with the upcoming Olympics. The ICC seeks unity on complex matters, and a dedicated Test match fund would send a strong message about the format's importance, especially amidst the growing popularity of T20s. This fund could help other cricket boards operate more efficiently, particularly in countries outside of England and Australia, where broadcasters focus on shorter formats.
In addition to Test match fees, a "touring fee" could be transformative for member boards. Shah is advocating for a fund of Rs 125 crore or more to cover these fees, recognizing the financial burden of hosting and touring, especially for smaller boards. Currently, host countries retain all revenue from bilateral series, but a touring fee could significantly increase revenue for teams playing in India, England, and Australia.
Shah's commitment to prioritizing Test cricket is evident in India's busy bilateral series schedule, excluding Pakistan, since he took charge as BCCI secretary. India has played series with all full-member nations and sent its T20 team to Ireland and Zimbabwe while hosting Afghanistan at home. Shah has also introduced new incentives for India's long-format players, further demonstrating his dedication to Test cricket, an area where England and Australia sometimes fall short.
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