Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was honored with the 'Transformational Leader of the Year' award at the NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 ceremony. The award recognizes Shah's significant contributions to the sport, marked by driving major reforms and promoting global expansion. The NDTV Indian of the Year awards celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions across various fields, including business, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sports, entertainment, culture, and science.
Shah dedicated the award to the Indian Women's Cricket team, acknowledging their inspiring role for women across India. Speaking at the event, Shah highlighted the revolutionary changes implemented in women's cricket since 2019, including a 700 percent hike in domestic fees and significant changes to the international pay structure. He also acknowledged Coach Amol Muzumdar for his contributions.
Since assuming the role of BCCI Secretary in 2019, Shah has overseen several transformative initiatives. A key achievement was the record-breaking IPL media rights deal worth Rs 48,390 crore (2023-2027), which made the IPL the second-most valuable sporting league per match. In 2023, he launched the Women's Premier League (WPL) and, in 2022, introduced pay parity for India's women cricketers, setting new benchmarks for gender equality. These reforms reflect a commitment to inclusivity and equality in sports.
Shah's tenure has also seen improvements in domestic player welfare through revised Ranji Trophy fees and increased pensions for former players and umpires. Infrastructure upgrades, including the National Cricket Academy's Centre of Excellence, and talent scouting initiatives targeting smaller towns and North-East states have also been prioritized. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shah ensured the continuity of cricket by implementing bio-secure bubbles and hosting the IPL overseas.
In December 2024, Shah became the youngest ICC Chair, elected unopposed. He is spearheading efforts to include cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and prioritizing the growth of women's cricket worldwide. As the former Chair of the ICC's Finance & Commercial Affairs Committee, he strengthened revenue models and governance reforms, advocating for equal prize money and expanding cricket in emerging nations. His leadership, characterized by commercial acumen, inclusivity, and strategic vision, has garnered unanimous support from ICC board members.
Dr. Sanjeev Goenka, owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, lauded Shah's leadership skills, describing him as "brilliant, visionary, and compassionate". Goenka emphasized Shah's role in commercializing and managing the sport with efficiency, contributing to the current state of world cricket.
The Indian Armed Forces were also honored at the NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 awards for their valor and precision during Operation Sindoor. Other awardees included Sridhar Vembu, who received the 'Disruptor of the Year' award, and Manvendra Singh Shekhawat, who was recognized in the Climate Impact category.
