'Gamchanger toh zaroor hai ye aadmi, Pakistan se pooch lo' - Fans react to Jay Shah winning CNBC's 'Gamechanger award'

The India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) on CNBC TV18 on Thursday honoured the Indian Cricket Board's Secretary Jay Shah with the "Game Changer of the Year" award. Current players Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, with Harmanpreet Kaur, together with former India captain Mithali Raj and spinner Goswami, served as BCCI's representatives. Jay Shah, the winner of the award dedicated it to the women cricket players.

Jay Shah said, “Thankful to all cricketers who work hard on the field. Thankful to linear and digital viewers for supporting the game of cricket. I would like to dedicate this IBLA award to all our women cricketers. In 2019, women players played their first-ever pink-ball test in Australia where they dominated. When I took over the BCCI, I decided we couldn’t allow discrimination in match fees and decided on pay parity. There was unanimous agreement over ensuring pay parity for women cricketers in India."

Mithali Raj, the former Indian team captain, spoke about the number of changes she has witnessed in women’s cricket. She said, “I have seen a whole lot of changes in women’s cricket in the last two years. Women’s cricket is a viable sport and holds lucrative offers for young girls. Women cricketers on television will inspire many other girls to walk down their path."

Jhulan Goswami, who has been part of the Indian team for a long period of time credited the success of women’s cricket to the start of the Women’s Premier League. She said, “Women’s Premier League will be a game-changer for Women’s cricket. More young girls say they want to become WPL players and participate in the tournament."

Nikhat Zareen, the woman boxer won the ‘Sports Leader of the Year’ award. She spoke about how she started the trend of Women’s boxing in her village and she was the first one to take up boxing in her village. She said, “I was one of the first girls to start boxing in my village. When I began boxing, my mother was worried who would marry me if I got beaten up."

Fans react to Jay Shah winning the CNBC Gamechanger award: -

Jay Shah won the Gamechanger Award at the CNBCTV18 IBLA awards. pic.twitter.com/4DUavVbh4Q

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 12, 2023

I'm not surprised! He can even win the award for ICC's cricketer of the year, batsman of the year, bowler of the year, pire of the year, all together. 🙂

— Abhishek (@bbeingsarcastic) May 12, 2023

Ipl script writers ko bhi award dete h kya🤔

— shardul thakur (@shardul_thakur9) May 12, 2023

He should also win the best script writer award pic.twitter.com/uHzqpTqWo1

— Vignesh PEREZ OUT❌️ (@ViniciusJrERA) May 12, 2023

Real Game changer. Thank you for making IPL interesting.

— Naveen (@_naveenish) May 12, 2023

He changed the game for Pakistan and their Asia cup entry 😂

— arnav.🏏 (@Cricket_Arnav) May 12, 2023

His technique is best. Best player ever pic.twitter.com/UJMALisAZi

— Angry Foofa 🏹 (@AngryFoofa) May 12, 2023

Not surprising since he usually changes scripts of IPL games

— ABDul Sohail (@Kingof9realms24) May 12, 2023

Building world class stadiums in North East, pensions for widows of Ex cricketers. He’s doing a wonderful job.

Well deserved

— bull king 🦍 New Account (@bulllkingg) May 12, 2023

changed pcb's game for ever 😂

— Manish🇮🇳 (@manibhaii16) May 12, 2023

deserved award should get vimal filmfare award for best scriptwriter

— HelloWorld (@ShivamK83596389) May 12, 2023

This is what we call a right award to right person

— Varad Tamhankar (@Varad_Tamhankar) May 12, 2023

The GOAT 🐐 game changer 😁, the guy making sure every other match is thrilling

— Don Corleone Parody (@Saffron_Archer1) May 12, 2023