Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointment of Sanjog Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer. Gupta will officially assume office on Monday, becoming the seventh individual to hold the position.
Welcoming the new CEO, the ICC issued a statement saying, “The ICC welcomes Sanjog Gupta as he prepares to lead cricket’s global journey into a transformative future.”
Gupta’s appointment comes following a global recruitment process launched in March, which drew more than 2,500 applications from candidates across 25 countries. The wide-ranging interest in the role reflects the international appeal and stature of the position, with applicants including leaders from sports governing bodies and senior executives across various industries.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed his confidence in Gupta’s leadership, highlighting his credentials and future role in shaping cricket’s growth. “I am pleased to announce that Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the CEO of the ICC. Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialisation, which will be invaluable for the ICC.
“His deep understanding of global sport and the media and entertainment landscape, combined with his continued curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and his passion for technology, will prove essential in our ambition to grow the game in the coming years. Our goal is to move beyond traditional boundaries and establish cricket as a regular sport in the Olympics, growing its expanse across the world and deepening its roots in its core markets.
“We considered several exceptional candidates for this position, but the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Sanjog. The ICC Board Directors look forward to working closely with him, and I would like to welcome him on behalf of everyone at the ICC,” Shah added.
The appointment process was led by the ICC’s HR and Remuneration Committee, which shortlisted 12 candidates. These profiles were reviewed by the Nominations Committee, comprising ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, England and Wales Cricket Board Chair Richard Thompson, Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva, and Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Devajit Saikia. After a rigorous assessment, the committee unanimously recommended Gupta, whose selection was then approved by Jay Shah and ratified by the full ICC Board.
Commenting on his appointment, Gupta said, “It is a privilege to have this opportunity, especially at a time when cricket is poised for unprecedented growth and enjoys the passionate support of almost 2 billion fans worldwide. These are exciting times for the sport as marquee events grow in stature, commercial avenues widen, and opportunities such as the women’s game scale in popularity.
“Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the rapid acceleration of technology deployment and adoption could act as force-multipliers for the cricket movement around the world.
“I look forward to contributing to the next phase of cricket’s evolution, expanding its global footprint, enhancing the fan experience, and working closely with ICC Member Boards to build on our strong foundations.”
Gupta has played a central role in advancing cricket properties such as ICC events and the Indian Premier League, helping establish major domestic leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Super League, and increasing the popularity of international sporting events such as the Premier League and Wimbledon. His work has been instrumental in scaling both consumer engagement and commercial success.
Beginning his career as a journalist, Gupta joined Star India (now JioStar) in 2010. Over the years, he held various leadership roles in content, programming, and strategy before becoming Head of Sports at Disney & Star India in 2020. Notably, he pioneered multi-language, digital-first, and women-focused sports broadcasting strategies that transformed the Indian sports media landscape.
With IANS inputs