Mithun Manhas From Jammu Kashmir Elected BCCI President

SRINAGAR: In a development that has surprised many in India’s cricketing circles, Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi captain with deep administrative roots in Jammu and Kashmir cricket, has been unanimously elected as the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Manhas succeeds Roger Binny, becoming the 37th president of Indian cricket’s most powerful body.

The election was held during the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Sunday, where all candidates for office bearers were chosen unopposed. Alongside Manhas, Rajeev Shukla was elected vice-president, Devajit Saikia as secretary, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as joint secretary, and Raghuram Bhat as treasurer. Jaydev Shah was added as an Apex Council member, further strengthening the board’s governance structure.

Speaking soon after taking charge, Manhas emphasised that his journey with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) as technical director and administrator played a significant role in his elevation. “Maybe my work, my credentials (worked in my favour). Credentials both as an administrator, as well as a cricketer (led to my being chosen),” he told The Indian Express.

Manhas has been credited with bringing professionalism, infrastructure upgrades, and cricketing confidence to JKCA during his tenure. Under his guidance, Jammu and Kashmir made it to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, with several players breaking through to zonal representation. “The whole agenda is development and to take BCCI forward,” Manhas said, acknowledging the weight of expectations attached to his new role.

Historically, the BCCI has favoured high-profile ex-cricketers or heavyweight administrators for its presidency. Manhas’ appointment, therefore, stands out, with cricket insiders noting that his grassroots involvement and task-oriented approach may have appealed to decision-makers.

Born on October 12, 1979, in Jammu, Mithun Manhas remains one of the finest domestic cricketers never to have played for India. Over an 18-year first-class career, he featured in 157 matches, scoring 9,714 runs at an average of 45.82, with 27 centuries and 49 half-centuries. He was central to Delhi’s Ranji Trophy triumph in 2007-08, scoring 921 runs that season at 57.56.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he represented Delhi Daredevils (2008–2010), Pune Warriors (2011–2013), and Chennai Super Kings (2014). Beyond his playing days, he worked as a coach and consultant with several IPL franchises, including the Gujarat Titans in 2022, and served as batting consultant for the Bangladesh Under-19s.

Despite his roots in Delhi cricket, Manhas made a pivotal shift in 2015 when he joined Jammu and Kashmir as a player, later transitioning into an administrative role. His tenure coincided with attempts to revive JKCA, which had been plagued by controversies and financial mismanagement.

His work included upgrading pitches in Jammu and Srinagar, streamlining operations, and instilling a culture of discipline among players. “The new pitches have certainly improved the playing standards of the state cricketers. They now have more confidence while facing bigger teams like Mumbai or Baroda,” said P Krishna Kumar, JKCA’s bowling coach, highlighting Manhas’ hands-on role.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, hailing from Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, was among the first to congratulate Manhas, calling his appointment “a providential Sunday for the erstwhile district of Doda, one of the remotest parts of Jammu & Kashmir.”

Manhas steps into a role that has been held by towering figures such as Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny. Unlike his predecessors, he lacks an India cap, which means he will need to build authority quickly in a board known for its political undercurrents.

A former BCCI official noted that Manhas’ initial months may be smooth but cautioned that “his administrative skills will be put under test” especially with India hosting the T20 World Cup next year.

Known for his people skills, Manhas’ leadership as Delhi captain saw him managing star-studded dressing rooms featuring Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ashish Nehra. Former teammate Aakash Chopra recalled, “He was always a people’s person. Don’t forget he had been a Delhi captain in a team that had a lot of big stars, Indian players. They played under him, and he managed them fairly well.”

However, his move to Jammu and Kashmir also revealed his tough streak. A tiff with then-skipper Parvez Rasool in 2017 led him to withdraw from a Ranji Trophy match, showing he could be uncompromising when required.

As the third consecutive cricketer to head the BCCI after Ganguly and Binny, Manhas represents continuity in the board’s approach of trusting players with leadership. At the same time, his election marks a shift towards acknowledging administrators who have proven themselves in challenging environments like Jammu and Kashmir.

“The presidency of BCCI is both an honour and a responsibility,” Manhas said in his first address. “I assure full commitment, dedication, and passion to take Indian cricket to greater heights.”

With his blend of grassroots experience, domestic cricket pedigree, and administrative vision, Mithun Manhas now faces the test of leading the world’s most powerful cricketing body—bringing with him the pride of Jammu and Kashmir to the very top of Indian cricket.