When The Indian Express published its prestigious IE 100 Most Powerful People List 2026, one name from the world of cricket stood out above every player, coach, and commentator combined. ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah secured the 22nd position on the list, making him the most influential figure in Indian cricket administration and one who is actively shaping the sport’s global growth and financial structure.
This is not just a ranking. It is a recognition of a career that has quietly, systematically, and relentlessly transformed cricket from a beloved sport into a global powerhouse. And as IPL 2026 gets underway, much of the infrastructure, broadcast reach, and commercial muscle behind it traces back directly to Jay Shah.
From 24th to 22nd: A Steady and Deliberate Rise
According to the IE100 2025 list verified from the Indian Express archive, Jay Shah was ranked 24th in 2025 and 35th in 2024. His consistent rise in the IE100 list reflects his growing control over cricket administration at both the national and international level.
This is not a one-time jump driven by a single event. It is the result of years of compounding decisions that have made him indispensable to how cricket is governed, monetised, and grown globally.
The Man Behind the IPL’s Financial Empire
Before Jay Shah became ICC Chairman, he served as BCCI Secretary and it was in that role that he engineered one of the most consequential deals in sporting history. In 2022, Jay Shah led the BCCI’s record-breaking IPL media rights deal where the five-year rights for the league were sold for a total of Rs. 48,390 crore, making the IPL the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value, behind only the NFL.
That deal did not just make the BCCI richer. It reshaped what franchises could pay players, what broadcasters could offer audiences, and what the IPL could become as a global entertainment product. Shah had also led the growth of the Indian Premier League as a financial powerhouse by expanding broadcasting deals and partnerships and increasing its global reach, establishing himself as a central figure in modern cricket governance.
For context on just how dominant IPL has become as a spectacle, read our detailed look at some of the most iconic IPL records that will likely never be broken.
Youngest ICC Chairman in History
At the age of 36, Jay Shah made history by becoming the youngest-ever Chairman of the ICC. He became only the fifth Indian ever to be elected to this high-profile position, following Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, and N Srinivasan. He was elected unopposed in August 2024, which according to bcci.tv is a reflection of the unanimous support and confidence of all ICC Member Boards.
As ICC Chair, Shah began his tenure with a stated commitment to expanding cricket’s reach and evolution on the global stage, including working closely with the ICC team and member countries.
The WPL, Pay Parity and Women’s Cricket Revolution
One of the most underappreciated chapters of Jay Shah’s legacy is what he did for women’s cricket. His key highlights include the successful creation of the Women’s Premier League, which is now the world’s biggest women’s cricket league, and instituting the Pay Parity Policy in Indian cricket along with equal prize money for men and women cricketers at ICC events.
Under his leadership and the foundations he set, Indian cricket has seen five ICC trophies won by both men’s and women’s teams in just three years, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 which was India’s historic maiden triumph in the tournament.
Cricket at the Olympics: His Biggest Swing Yet
Perhaps no single initiative better defines Shah’s ambition than this one. As part of the ICC Olympics Working Group, Shah played a key role in ensuring cricket’s return to the Olympics starting with the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Cricket was last played at the Olympics in 1900. Bringing it back after 128 years is a legacy that no other cricket administrator can claim.
Awards and Recognition in 2025 and 2026
The world has been taking notice well before the IE100 list was published. Jay Shah was honoured with the prestigious Icon of Excellence award at the 14th edition of the Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA) 2025, recognising his exceptional contributions to cricket administration and his role in driving innovation and inclusivity in the sport. According to icc-cricket.com, he was also previously awarded the Special Recognition Gamechanger Award at the Sports Star Aces Awards 2025.
Why 22nd Is Not the Ceiling
Jay Shah’s trajectory since 2019 has been one of continuous upward movement — from BCCI Secretary to ACC President to ICC Chairman, from rank 35 to rank 24 to rank 22 on the IE100 list. Acc to reports, with the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 currently underway, the Women’s ODI World Cup, and the Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 all on the horizon, Shah’s influence over global cricket decisions is only going to grow stronger.
The players on the field get applause. Jay Shah gets the rankings. And increasingly, the world is realizing both matters equally. For the latest on IPL 2026 player spotlight, keep following CricThugs throughout the season.
Lucky Raina is a complete cricket writer chasing corporate dreams by day and cricket stories by night. Once a promising Under 16 cricketer, life took him down a different pitch but the love for the game never left.
