What is the Full Form of ICC? Complete Guide for Cricket Fans

| Posted on October 17, 2025

If you are a cricket follower, you might have heard commentators or fans say “ICC” many times — especially while covering a major tournament like the World Cup or the T20 World Cup. But what is the full form of ICC? 

ICC is an abbreviation for the International Cricket Council. It is the top governing body of world cricket, responsible for organizing international tournaments and establishing international standards and regulations to promote cricket worldwide.

Let’s discuss everything about ICC’s full form, its history, functions, frameworks, and its purpose and role in world cricket.

ICC Full Form

ICC Logo

ICC’s full form in English is International Cricket Council

It is the official organization that governs international cricket across countries. ICC oversees men’s, women’s, and youth games in world cricket to ensure that the game is consistent and played fairly worldwide. 

The ICC manages all formats of international cricket – Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). The organization also handles things like player rankings, match officials, and disciplinary matters. ICC also conducts global tournaments like the ODI Cricket World Cup, the T20I World Cup, the Test Championship, the Champions Trophy, and more. 

History of the International Cricket Council

History of the International Cricket Council

Now that you know the answer to “what is the full form of ICC?” let’s take a look at the History of the International Cricket Council. 

ICC’s full name wasn’t always International Cricket Council. It has gone through several changes since its inception. Let’s have a look. 

1909 – Imperial Cricket Conference

Yes, it started as the Imperial Cricket Conference, formed by England, Australia, and South Africa. The purpose of this conference was to coordinate Test cricket between these nations. 

1965 – International Cricket Conference

In 1965, they changed their name to the International Cricket Conference to include more cricket-playing nations beyond just the British Empire. 

At the time, countries like India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies joined as members. 

1989 – International Cricket Council

It was in 1989 that the organization took its current name. It became a truly global body that governs cricket. It handles all the matters related to full and associate members. 

The headquarters of the ICC is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It currently has over 100 cricket-playing nations as its members. 

Functions of ICC in Cricket

After knowing the ICC full form, you must be eager to explore the functions of ICC in cricket. Don’t worry, here we will list all the functions of ICC in cricket. The organizing body of cricket plays an important role in maintaining the integrity and growth of cricket around the globe. 

1. Organizing Major International Tournaments

The ICC hosts many world-class international tournaments. Here is the list. 

  • ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI format)
  • ICC T20 World Cup
  • ICC World Test Championship
  • ICC Champions Trophy (discontinued after 2017)
  • ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

These tournaments feature teams from all over the world, and these events are watched by millions of fans worldwide. 

2. Setting Rules and Regulations

  • The ICC is there to enforce the rules of cricket created by MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club). They ensure that these rules are applied properly in international cricket. 
  • ICC also updates playing conditions and rules to keep up with modern times. 

3. Maintaining Rankings and Records

  • The ICC is also responsible for managing official team and player rankings for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. 
  • They update the rankings after every match or series. 

4. Disciplinary Control

  • ICC also enforces a code of conduct for players and officials participating in the matches. 
  • It also handles all disciplinary matters like match-fixing, ball-tampering, and on-field behavior. 

5. Anti-Corruption and Fair Play

ICC also has an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) that works to keep cricket clean from illegal betting and match fixing. 

6. Promoting Women’s and Youth Cricket 

ICC also promotes, supports, and develops women’s cricket and youth cricket all around the world. 

Major ICC Tournaments

The International Cricket Council (ICC full form) manages some of the biggest cricket tournaments. Here is the list. 

1. ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI)

The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup is held every four years, and top teams from all continents take part in this event. The ODI World Cup started in 1975, and the West Indies won it. Australia is the most successful team in the ICC ODI World Cup, winning it five times. 

2. ICC T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup started in 2007, and India became the first champions of the event held in South Africa. 

The shorter and faster format of the matches is loved by fans. Many countries, including India, England, Australia, and the West Indies, have won the event held every two years. 

3. ICC World Test Championship

This event was introduced in 2019 to make Test cricket more competitive. A points system for all teams determines the top two teams who play in the final to win the event held over two years. 

4. ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

It is the perfect platform for youngsters to showcase their talent on the big stage. Many famous players like Virat Kohli (King of Cricket), Kane Williamson, and Joe Root came from the U19 World Cup. 

What is the Structure of ICC

We got to know the full form of ICC in cricket in the above section of this article. Now, let’s understand its structure. 

The International Cricket Council has structured itself like a global organization with representatives from member countries. 

Headquarters: 

  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Members: 

  • Full Members (12): Countries that play Test cricket (like India, England, Australia, Pakistan, etc.)
  • Associate Members (94+): Developing cricket nations such as Nepal, UAE, USA, and Namibia.

Leadership of ICC:

Jay Shah
  • Chairman: Head of ICC, responsible for overall decision-making. The current ICC chairman is Jay Shah from India, who took over the role on December 1, 2024. 
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Sanjog Gupta is the current CEO of ICC who Manages daily operations.
  • ICC Board: Includes representatives from all full member nations.

ICC Role in Promoting Cricket

ICC Role in Promoting Cricket

ICC plays a huge role in promoting cricket beyond just traditional cricket markets like India, England, and Australia. 

  • ICC supports associate and affiliate members with funding, coaching, and other facilities required for improving cricket infrastructure. 
  • With the support of ICC, nations like Afghanistan, Ireland, and Nepal have grown rapidly. 
  • ICC also promotes women’s cricket by organizing separate tournaments and more. 
  • ICC also supports various T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) to bring more fans to the game of cricket. 

Interesting Facts About the ICC

What is the full form of ICC? We’ve answered this question in detail. It’s time for us to discover some interesting facts about the  International Cricket Council (ICC). 

  • Due to cricket’s popularity in India, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is one of the most influential members. 
  • ICC generates millions of dollars in revenue from its various events, like the World Cup and more. 
  • The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is used in rain-affected games. 
  • ICC awards players annually with awards like Cricketer of the Year, Emerging Player of the Year, and Spirit of Cricket Award. 
  • ICC has 104 total members. 

Conclusion

So, the full form of ICC is the International Cricket Council – the global authority that manages, regulates, and promotes cricket worldwide. 

ICC organizes various multinational tournaments like World Cups and more. The organization also maintains team and player rankings and ensures fair play. It plays a pivotal role in making cricket the global sport it is today. 

It not only governs cricket but also promotes new markets and brings the game to millions of new people. 

FAQs

Ans: The full form of ICC is International Cricket Council, the global governing body for world cricket. 

Ans: As of now, the CEO of ICC is Sanjog Gupta. He has been in the position since July 2025.

Ans: Virat Kohli is not part of the ICC organization. He is a cricketer who plays for India in tournaments organized by the ICC.

Ans: The ICC organizes major tournaments like the World Cup and T20 World Cup, manages team rankings, sets rules, and promotes cricket.

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