Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has opened up about his professional relationship with Jay Shah, the current ICC Chairman, during their time together at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). From October 2019 to September 2022, Ganguly served as BCCI President, while Shah held the position of Secretary—a crucial period for Indian cricket administration.
Jay Shah’s Growth as a Cricket Administrator
According to Ganguly, Shah entered the BCCI setup as a relatively new face in national cricket administration. Coming straight from the Gujarat Cricket Association, Shah was, in Ganguly’s words, a “young boy” at the time. However, he arrived with confidence, a strong sense of purpose, and fresh ideas.
“He had his own way of doing things but the best thing about him was he wanted to do things properly for Indian cricket,” said Ganguly in an interview with PTI.
Despite his political background—being the son of India’s Home Minister—Shah was described by Ganguly as cooperative, approachable, and constantly learning. “He had the power, the support, so you expected a certain kind of toughness, stubbornness from him, but he would do things for Indian cricket,” Ganguly added.
A Relationship Built on Respect and Shared Goals
Ganguly emphasized that their working relationship remained strong throughout their joint tenure. He acknowledged that while both he and Shah brought different styles to the table, their shared goal was the advancement of Indian cricket.
“He is very supportive of players. He got better as he learnt,” Ganguly said, noting that Shah was always mindful of his high-profile background but remained committed to doing the right thing.
“The good thing about him was he wanted to do good for the game. He is very honest… He always had the thought of who he was at the back of his mind, what baggage he carried. So, he wanted to do things rightfully and properly all the time.”
Ganguly also admitted that both made mistakes along the way, but insisted that none were intentional and, more importantly, “the game never stopped.”
With Jay Shah now serving as ICC Chairman, Ganguly believes his evolution as an administrator is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and vision for cricket—not just in India, but globally.
