DUBAI– The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Sanjog Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a highly competitive global recruitment process. Gupta will officially assume office on Monday, becoming the seventh CEO in ICC’s history.
“The ICC welcomes Sanjog Gupta as he prepares to lead cricket’s global journey into a transformative future,” the organization said in a statement.
The selection process, which began in March, drew over 2,500 applications from candidates across 25 countries. The pool included executives from major sporting bodies as well as leaders from diverse industries, underscoring the global stature and appeal of the role.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah announced Gupta’s appointment, citing his expertise in sports strategy, commercialization, and media.
“Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialization, which will be invaluable for the ICC,” Shah said.
“His deep understanding of the global sports and media landscape, combined with a strong curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and a passion for technology, will be essential to our vision of expanding the game worldwide—including establishing cricket as a regular Olympic sport.”
Shah added that although the ICC considered several exceptional candidates, the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Gupta. The selection was then approved by Shah after further evaluation and subsequently ratified by the full ICC Board.
The Nominations Committee included ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, ECB Chair Richard Thompson, SLC President Shammi Silva, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
In his first statement as CEO-designate, Gupta expressed excitement about the opportunity and the global momentum behind cricket.
“It is a privilege to take on this role at a time when cricket is poised for unprecedented growth, with the support of nearly 2 billion passionate fans worldwide,” he said.
“The sport is evolving rapidly—with marquee events growing in stature, women’s cricket gaining popularity, and technology driving innovation. Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics offers a massive opportunity to amplify the sport globally.”
Gupta also emphasized his commitment to strengthening the ICC’s collaboration with member boards and enhancing the global fan experience.
A veteran of India’s sports media industry, Gupta played a key role in scaling premier cricket properties such as the IPL and ICC events. He also helped establish domestic leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Indian Super League (ISL), and expanded the reach of global tournaments like the Premier League and Wimbledon.
Gupta began his career as a journalist and joined Star India (now JioStar) in 2010. He held various leadership roles across content, programming, and strategy before being named Head of Sports at Disney & Star India in 2020. There, he championed multi-language broadcasts, digital-first initiatives, and women-centric sports coverage. (Source: IANS)
