Jay Shah features eleven times in ICC’s 45-second WTC final video; Journalists, fans react
New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing criticism over a recent 45-second video celebrating South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) final victory over Australia at Lord’s for prominently featuring ICC chairman Jay Shah multiple times.
The video, shared on ICC’s official X account, was intended to mark South Africa’s historic victory. However, the montage included Jay Shah in at least 11 different frames, drawing widespread reactions across social media.
The clip opens with a wide-angle view of the Lord’s balcony, with Shah appearing as early as the second cut. Critics argued the video placed disproportionate focus on the ICC chairman rather than the players or key moments of the match.
“Hey @grok, how many runs and wickets did Jay Shah get in the WTC?” a journalist commented while sharing the video. Another wrote, “Didn’t realise the ICC final was Jay Shah vs Jay Shah. This video montage looks like it’s been compiled by the Jay Shah appreciation society (which has one member).”
Fans also chimed in. “Who said India didn’t play the final?” one user joked, while another remarked, “Blink and you’ll miss Pat Cummins. Jay Shah, on the other hand…” Cartoonist Satish Acharya, known for the sharp political commentary, wrote, “It’s funny how the ICC added more glimpses of Jay Shah than of the WTC-winning captain, Temba Bavuma.”
Following the backlash, the ICC reportedly deleted the original post and re-uploaded the same video — a move seen by many as an attempt to minimise visible negative comments.
“After the backslash against Jay Shah, the ICC deleted the previous tweet to get rid of negative tweets/comments against him and reshared the exact same video again,” wrote Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking website AltNews, on X.
Meanwhile, South Africa defeated Australia in the WTC final to break their long-standing “chokers” tag. Led by Temba Bavuma, the team clinched their first ICC title in over two decades, marking a milestone moment in the nation’s cricketing history.
hey @grok how many runs and wickets did Jay Shah get in the WTC? https://t.co/K2idUQ1aHu
— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) June 16, 2025
Did you see the ICC video??
— Paul Dennett (@PaulDennett_) June 16, 2025
Meant to be celebrating the WTC final - but instead has 11 shots of Jay Shah in it.
It’s so weird! It’s hilarious! #WTC2025 pic.twitter.com/W0baOiZXdJ
It's funny how ICC added more glimpses of Jay Shah than the WTC winning skipper Bavuma in this video! 🥴https://t.co/aY4tHmffqN
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) June 17, 2025
After the backslash against Jay Shah, @ICC deleted the previous tweet to get rid of negative tweets/comments against him and reshared the exact same video again. 🤡 https://t.co/PQAd7fLdEd
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) June 17, 2025
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
