Jay Shah’s Theatrics Underscores India’s Dominance Of Cricket

After a period where the unassuming Greg Barclay modestly ran international cricket, essentially a seat warmer for his successor in a role that he essentially later admitted he lacked authority, new International Cricket Council chair Jay Shah has quickly made sure his presence is felt.

While those not au fait with ICC politics would not have been able to spot Barclay amid a crowd, Shah is one of cricket’s most recognizable figures. He was already well known as the boss of mighty India, with his heavy spectacles, doughy physique and slickly manicured hair making him easy to lampoon, but Shah has always relished being in the spotlight.

And being the son of Amit Shah, India’s home affairs minister in Modi’s nationalistic government, he has the influential ties that affords him considerable gravitas. In just a few months in his new role running world cricket, Shah has been busy and traversed from Lausanne to Brisbane as he attempts to consolidate cricket’s Olympic revival.

While Barclay seemed to be hidden away, Shah has been unavoidable and seemingly everywhere through his social media presence with even a regular newsletter distributed so followers can keep up to speed with his hectic schedule. He has essentially become a one-man band in the ICC.

But Shah was curiously absent in the ICC’s press release thanking Pakistan for “successful hosting” of the Champions Trophy. The only comments attributed was to outgoing chief Geoff Allardice.

“As this was the first global multi-team cricket event played in the country since 1996, this event was of huge significance for the PCB, and all those involved in renovating the stadiums, preparing the playing surfaces, delivering the matches and hosting the teams and visitors should be very proud of their efforts,” Allardice said in the release.

To recap, Pakistan hosted its first ICC event since 1996 but a compromise with rival India meant that Dubai hosted all the India games, including the final – the biggest men’s cricket match this year.

Pakistan were totally overshadowed and seemingly sidelined with no Pakistan Cricket Board chief present at the trophy presentation. A beaming Shah, of course, was there and he seemingly didn’t even bother containing his emotions throughout a nerve-jangling final.

His inner fanboy came to the fore when he leapt high and clapped furiously when New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson dropped a sitter of a catch, while he shared a celebratory dance with India skipper Rohit Sharma followed by a wink to the cameras.

Any hint of impartiality, as one would expect from holding the top job of a sporting governing body, had been thrown out the window. Patriotism is understandable, but it’s still hard to fathom Shah’s counterparts in other sports acting with such little self-awareness.

But his antics was indicative of a sport that is very much tied to the whims of India, who are cricket’s cash cow and its finances dictate almost every major decision in cricket. It has long been said that India runs cricket with an iron fist and that figureheads such as Barclay are merely window dressing.

At least, in this new world order, there is little pretence and it’s all there to be seen out in the open like during and after the Champions Trophy.