Cricket fans and critics around the world are calling out the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what they say is a blatant display of double standards.
The controversy erupted after ICC Chairman Jay Shah, son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, openly praised the Indian military during ongoing India-Pakistan tensions — a move many argue contradicts ICC’s own policies on political neutrality.
The reaction was rapid and vocal on social media as fans wondered why Australian batsman Usman Khawaja was banned for showing a message of peace on his bat and Jay Shah has no ramifications for politically charged comments.
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In 2023, Khawaja had attempted to show solidarity with victims in the Middle East by displaying the phrase “All lives are equal” on his bat. The ICC responded immediately, deeming it a political message and enforcing a ban. Now, critics argue that Shah’s public support for Indian military action is far more political — yet the ICC remains silent.
Australian journalist Malcolm Conn was among the first to spotlight the controversy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he posted a news article from an Indian outlet quoting Jay Shah’s military praise, and posed a pointed question: “Has Jay Shah resigned as ICC Chairman?”
Conn’s tweet sparked a wave of debate across cricketing circles and sports media platforms, with fans accusing the ICC of selectively applying its rules. Many pointed out the stark difference in how the organization handled Khawaja’s peaceful message versus Shah’s overtly political support for India’s military.
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“ICC claims to uphold neutrality, but when its own chairman openly supports military actions, the silence is deafening,” one user wrote.
Another added, “This isn’t just about Jay Shah. It’s about the credibility of the ICC as a global institution. If players can’t express peace, how is a military endorsement acceptable?”
Critics argue that Shah’s dual role — as the powerful secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the son of a senior Indian politician — makes it even more important for the ICC to enforce its rules impartially.
So far, the ICC has not issued any statement or clarification on the matter, further fueling public outrage and demands for accountability.
