New Delhi, Sept 23: Mithun Manhas, a seasoned domestic cricketer and former Delhi captain, is all set to script history by becoming the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to be elected as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His nomination papers, filed in Mumbai on Sunday, have gone unchallenged, making his election at the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28 a mere formality. The 45-year-old will not only be the first J&K-born administrator to hold the country’s most powerful cricketing post but also the first uncapped cricketer—one who never represented India at the international level—to rise to this position.
Manhas’ elevation follows intense discussions within the BCCI’s corridors of power during a high-profile meeting in New Delhi on Saturday night. Senior officials, it is learnt, were keen that a cricketer, rather than a purely political or administrative figure, should take charge of the board. His track record as a player, mentor, and coach has made him a consensus candidate.
With an impressive domestic career spanning more than 157 first-class matches, Manhas was one of the stalwarts of the Indian domestic circuit. He captained Delhi for several years and shared the dressing room with legends like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Ashish Nehra. Known for his calm temperament and strategic acumen, he was instrumental in building Delhi’s Ranji Trophy-winning squad in 2007-08. His versatility was also evident in franchise cricket, where he turned out for IPL sides such as Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings.
Beyond his playing days, Manhas transitioned seamlessly into coaching, serving as an assistant coach with Gujarat Titans in the IPL and also working with the Indian Premier League’s coaching setups. His administrative instincts, combined with his on-ground cricketing experience, are widely believed to have strengthened his candidature.
For Jammu and Kashmir, Manhas’ rise represents more than just a personal milestone, it is a symbolic achievement for a region that has produced talented cricketers but rarely found representation at the highest echelons of the sport’s administration. Cricketing voices from the Valley have hailed this as a proud moment, reflecting not only the recognition of Manhas’ individual merit but also a step toward broader inclusivity in Indian cricket governance.
Industry insiders note that Manhas’ presidency could mark a shift in the BCCI’s approach, placing greater emphasis on the perspectives of professional cricketers who understand the nuances of the game at every level. His leadership will be closely watched to see how he balances cricketing priorities with the powerful commercial and political dimensions of the BCCI.
As the countdown begins for the AGM, anticipation is mounting within cricketing and political circles alike. With Mithun Manhas set to assume the reins, Indian cricket appears poised for an era where grassroots understanding, regional pride, and professional expertise converge at the very top of the administrative ladder.