Kashmir, September 21, 2025 – In a surprising turn in Indian cricket administration, former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cricketer and Delhi captain Mithun Manhas has emerged as the leading contender for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president’s post, following intense discussions among key stakeholders on Saturday. The 45-year-old, who never played international cricket but was a domestic stalwart, is poised to succeed Roger Binny, whose term ended last month, with nominations closing today and elections set for September 28 at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Manhas, born in Jammu in 1979, represented Delhi in 157 first-class matches, amassing 9,714 runs at an average of 45.82, including 27 centuries. He also featured in over 130 List A games and 91 T20s, and played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings, sharing dressing rooms with stars like Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni. As the first player from J&K to feature in the IPL, Manhas transitioned into administration, serving as Director of Cricket Operations for the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) and as an assistant coach for Gujarat Titans. The informal meeting in New Delhi, attended by senior BCCI members and state association officials, reportedly favored Manhas as a consensus candidate, edging out contenders like Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Raghuram Bhatt, who is likely to take the treasurer’s role.
This aligns with the BCCI’s post-2019 constitution trend of appointing former cricketers to the top job, as seen with Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny, and Manhas would mark a historic first as an uncapped player in the role. Other key positions are expected to see continuity: Devajit Saikia as secretary, Rajeev Shukla as vice-president, and Arun Dhumal retaining the IPL chairman role despite a potential cool-off period for some incumbents. Jaydev Shah, son of veteran administrator Niranjan Shah, is tipped for the Apex Council, while Prabhtej Singh Bhatia may become joint secretary. Sources indicate Manhas’ administrative experience with JKCA and his ability to bridge state associations played a key role in his selection, especially with upcoming ICC elections later this year where BCCI’s influence is pivotal. If elected unopposed—as has been the norm—Manhas will represent JKCA at the AGM and steer Indian cricket’s governance amid growing domestic and global challenges.This development has sparked discussions on whether it signals a shift towards more regional representation, with Manhas’ J&K roots highlighting the board’s evolving inclusivity.
