Harbhajan Singh: Jay Shah's ICC Chairmanship Will Elevate Global Cricket

New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah assuming the role of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed confidence that Shah will elevate cricket to a higher level globally. Jay Shah officially took on the role of ICC Chair on Sunday, succeeding Greg Barclay who stepped down from the position on Saturday, making him the youngest to hold this esteemed title.

Harbhajan noted that Shah will be capable of continuing the significant work he accomplished at the BCCI within the ICC.

"Jay Shah will take cricket to a higher level globally, and he can continue the excellent efforts he initiated (in BCCI) at the ICC as well. Furthermore, he can encourage greater participation from smaller nations," Harbhajan Singh shared with IANS during the inaugural event of the World Tennis Cricket League in New Delhi on Monday.

As discussions surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025 trend towards a hybrid format, Harbhajan Singh has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accept this decision.

Pakistan, the original host of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy, is expected to agree to the hybrid model after the BCCI informed the ICC that the Indian government has denied permission for the team to travel across the border to compete in Pakistan.

Regarding PCB's warning that Pakistan may refuse to travel to India for future ICC events, Harbhajan stated they are entitled to their own decisions. "If Pakistan chooses not to travel to India in the future, that is their prerogative. Tournaments can proceed without their involvement as well," Harbhajan Singh remarked to IANS.

Harbhajan commended the Indian team for their outstanding victory over Australia in the initial match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth.

Under the leadership of stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, India excelled in all aspects of the game, delivering a humiliating defeat to Australia.

With skipper Rohit Sharma returning to the squad after celebrating the birth of his second child, India maintained their impressive performance in Australia by defeating the Australia Prime Minister's XI in a rescheduled 50-over match after rain disrupted the first day of the two-day pink-ball game.

Nonetheless, concerns have emerged regarding skipper Rohit Sharma's batting form, as he managed only three runs against the Prime Minister's XI.

Harbhajan, however, is not overly concerned about Rohit's current performance which has persisted since the home series against New Zealand, where India lost 0-3.

"Rohit Sharma’s form is not a concern. However, I would opt to include Dhruv Jurel in the playing eleven and rest Shubman Gill for the second Test," Harbhajan suggested, sharing his preferences for the upcoming pink-ball Test scheduled in Adelaide starting December 8. Gill had missed the first Test due to an injury and has recently recuperated from it.