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Former cricketer Mithun Manhas has surfaced as the top contender for the presidency of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following an informal meeting of key cricket administrators on Saturday. The Jammu and Kashmir–born cricketer has reportedly outshone bigger names such as Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh in the discussions.
At 45, Manhas carries a strong reputation for his composed demeanor and deep understanding of the game at the grassroots level. A product of Delhi cricket, he later represented and coached Jammu and Kashmir, continuing to remain actively involved in the development of the sport after his retirement.
Manhas began his domestic career with Delhi in the 1997–98 season. Despite competing with stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman, he carved a significant place for himself in the domestic circuit. He captained Delhi with distinction, most notably during the 2007–08 season when he amassed 921 runs at an average of 57.56. A young Virat Kohli also featured under his leadership during that period. Over his career, Manhas played 157 first-class matches, scoring 9,714 runs, including 27 centuries, and had substantial contributions in List A and T20 formats.
In the IPL, Manhas represented Delhi Daredevils (2008–2010), Pune Warriors India, and Chennai Super Kings (2014), tallying 514 runs from 55 matches. After hanging up his boots, he moved into coaching, serving as an assistant coach with Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, as well as working as a batting consultant for Bangladesh’s Under-19 squad.
According to sources, several senior administrators view him as a unifying candidate who could bridge divides among state associations. His dual experience as a first-class cricketer and coach is seen as strengthening his credentials for the presidency.
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The BCCI president’s role is one of immense influence, both within Indian cricket and internationally, especially with ICC elections approaching later this year. Should Manhas be elected, he would join the select group of former players, including Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny, who have gone on to lead the board. His selection would also underscore a growing trend of cricketers with playing experience entering top administrative roles.
The formal process begins with nominations opening on September 21, followed by scrutiny and the publication of the final list on September 23. If required, voting will be conducted during the Annual General Meeting on September 28. Meanwhile, Arun Dhumal of Himachal Pradesh is set to continue as chairman of the IPL Governing Council, while Rajiv Shukla is likely to remain Vice-President.
