Jay Shah, the newly appointed Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has expressed his excitement at witnessing the ongoing Test match between India and Australia at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane. Shah, who assumed his role as ICC Chairman in December 2024, emphasized the significance of the series, especially as it plays a key role in determining which teams will progress to the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year.
Accompanied by Devajit Saikia, the interim secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Shah is present in Brisbane not only to watch the riveting Test match but also to attend discussions related to the upcoming events in international cricket, including the 2036 Olympics, for which Brisbane will be the host city.
For Shah, this Test match represents more than just a sporting spectacle; it symbolizes the ongoing race for a coveted place in the WTC final. India, under captain Rohit Sharma, has been locked in a crucial contest with Australia, needing to win the remaining matches in this series to secure their place at the World Test Championship decider.
The match at the Gabba is a significant one, with both India and Australia being top-ranked teams in the ICC standings. This rivalry adds even more weight to the encounter, as the teams face off not only for bragging rights but for the chance to challenge for the highest honor in Test cricket at the WTC final.
This series plays a significant role in determining which teams will advance to the World Test Championship Final, with both India and Australia being top contenders. Shah, who is also attending discussions about future events like the 2036 Olympics in Brisbane, emphasized the importance of this encounter for both teams in their quest for Test supremacy in the WTC.