Jay Shah Outstanding Achievement Award

ICC Chairman Jay Shah was recently felicitated with the Outstanding Achievement Award at CNN-News18’s Indian of the Year ceremony in New Delhi. The recognition celebrates his impactful leadership and the sweeping reforms he introduced during his tenure as BCCI Secretary from October 2019 to December 2024, particularly the significant progress made in women’s cricket. So let’s know about Jay Shah Outstanding Achievement Award.

Shah’s Visionary Leadership Leaves a Lasting Mark

Before assuming the role of ICC Chairman in 2024, Shah played a pivotal role in shaping modern Indian cricket. His stint as BCCI Secretary was marked by major administrative reforms, landmark policies, and groundbreaking commercial developments.

Among his most celebrated initiatives were:

  • Introducing pay parity for men and women cricketers
  • Launching the Women’s Premier League (WPL)
  • Securing a massive INR 50,000 crore media rights deal, one of the biggest in cricket history

These decisions, now core pillars of Indian cricket, have helped elevate the sport on both national and international stages. They also laid the foundation for India’s recent triumphs, including the Indian women’s team winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Award Dedicated to Women’s Cricket

While accepting the accolade, Shah dedicated the honour to the rise of Indian women’s cricket. Cricket icons Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj, and Jhulan Goswami were present at the event, making the moment even more special. Shah credited the players’ determination and excellence for inspiring the reforms in women’s cricket.

Strengthening Domestic Cricket: A Core Priority

Shah also reflected on his five-year journey as BCCI Secretary. He emphasised that real transformation began with revamping the domestic and grassroots cricket ecosystem.

Under his leadership, state associations and budding players received improved infrastructure, modern training environments, and enhanced financial support. These measures helped India develop a deeper and more competitive talent pool across formats.

Modern National Cricket Academy: A Game-Changer

One of Shah’s most significant achievements was the construction of the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Key highlights of the world-class facility include:

  • Spread across 20 lakh square feet
  • Multiple pitches mimicking conditions in Australia, England, and South Africa
  • Advanced training, medical, and rehabilitation units

According to Shah, the upgraded NCA has directly contributed to India’s improved performances overseas by giving players more realistic match-like training surfaces.

Pay Parity and WPL: Shah’s Most Cherished Milestones

Among all the reforms, Shah said that pay parity and the creation of the WPL remain closest to his heart. He believes these decisions were crucial in giving women athletes the dignity, opportunity, and platform they long deserved.

The success of the WPL has already begun shaping a new era in women’s cricket, with more professional opportunities and improved global competitiveness for Indian players.

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