Greg Barclay, who stepped down as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chair on December 1 after a four-year tenure, expressed confidence in his successor, Jay Shah, while issuing a word of caution.

The former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, he said, has the potential to take cricket to "another level" but must ensure that the game doesn't become "under the yoke of India." Barclay's comments were reported by The Telegraph.

"I think he (Shah) has got a great opportunity to use what he's got in his background to help India take the game to another level, but without making it sort of under the yoke of India as well," Barclay remarked.

He acknowledged India's significant role in cricket, describing it as a "massive contributor" across various dimensions. However, he warned that the country's overwhelming influence could hinder the global growth of the sport.

Barclay highlighted areas where India could lead global cricket's development. He suggested utilizing their teams to support smaller cricketing nations, pooling offshore broadcasting rights to aid financially weaker members, and leveraging their clout to explore new markets.

"India's influence can unify and expand the game," he noted. During his tenure, Barclay dealt with several challenges, including the congested international cricket calendar, which he described as being "in a mess." Speaking about the over-saturation of cricket, he admitted losing track of matches.

"I reckon, gee, I'm at the apex of the game, and I can't tell you who's playing around the world," he said, lamenting that self-interest among stakeholders has made it nearly impossible to resolve the scheduling crisis. Barclay also defended the ICC's decision not to revoke Afghanistan's Full Membership despite the Taliban's restrictions on women's cricket.

"It is not the Afghanistan board's fault. They used to have women's cricket. They're working under a decree," he explained. Barclay believes cricket could serve as a "force for good" in the country, fostering hope amidst challenging circumstances.

Taking a swipe at double standards in global cricket, Barclay criticized boards like Cricket Australia for canceling bilateral series with Afghanistan while playing against them in ICC tournaments. "If you want to make a political statement, don't play them in a World Cup. Principles are principles," he asserted.