Amid CT impasse, Jay Shah arrives in Brisbane for potential Olympics meeting

• Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, in Brisbane for Olympics-related meeting
• Accompanied by BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia
• Both staying at Hotel Sofitel, where Indian team is also lodged
• Shah to watch BGT Test at Gabba

Jay Shah, the newly elected Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has arrived in Brisbane for an Olympics-related meeting. Shah, former Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was accompanied by Devajit Saikia, the BCCI Joint Secretary. Both have checked into Hotel Sofitel, where the Indian team is staying.

Shah is expected to attend an Olympics meeting and watch the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test at the Gabba. His visit to Australia comes at a significant time when the ICC is dealing with the Champions Trophy (CT) issue, with Cricket Australia (CA) being one of the BCCI's strongest supporters.

Despite holding an independent position at the ICC, Shah's influence over the BCCI, which he headed until last week, cannot be overlooked. Saikia's presence further strengthens this point. Shah was invited by CA and New South Wales (NSW) Cricket for the Sydney Test, starting January 3, 2025, but the impact of his current visit on that program is unclear.