In a landmark moment for global sport, ICC Chairman Mr. Jay Shah met football legend Lionel Messi during his India Tour in New Delhi today marking a rare and symbolic crossover between two of the world’s most followed sporting cultures.
Mr. Shah felicitated Messi with a Team India jersey, a signed cricket bat, and an invitational ticket to India’s opening match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The gesture reflects Mr. Shah’s vision to expand cricket’s global footprint and engage audiences beyond traditional boundaries, underscoring the sport’s growing confidence in building cultural connections across disciplines.