The cricketing world recently witnessed a significant development as Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), assumed the position of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Taking over from Greg Barclay, Shah became the youngest person to hold this prestigious role. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh praised Shah’s appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to elevate cricket on a global scale.
Speaking at the inaugural World Tennis Cricket League event in New Delhi, Harbhajan told IANS,
“Jay Shah will take cricket to a higher level globally. His leadership at the ICC can bring smaller nations into the fold, promoting inclusivity in the sport.”
Harbhajan’s Bold Stance on PCB’s Threat
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan, has sparked controversy due to tensions between the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards. Following India’s decision not to send its team to Pakistan, the ICC proposed a hybrid model to address the situation.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially resisted the proposal and even hinted at withdrawing from future ICC events hosted by India.
Responding to PCB’s remarks, Harbhajan delivered a sharp rebuttal, stating,
“If Pakistan decides not to travel to India in the future, it’s entirely their decision. Tournaments will continue successfully without their participation.”
Harbhajan on India’s Recent Performance
Meanwhile, Harbhajan also lauded India’s performance in the rescheduled 50-over match against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI in Perth, where the Indian team secured a victory. Sharing his insights on the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide starting December 8, Harbhajan expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma’s form despite a modest score in the earlier match. He added,
“Rohit Sharma’s form isn’t a concern, but I would prefer including Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI and giving Shubman Gill a rest for the second Test.”
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