BCCI elections: Mithun Manhas, ex-Delhi cricketer, frontrunner for president post

Former Delhi cricketer Mithun Manhas is likely to file his nomination for the president’s post of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The 45-year-old has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Roger Binny after key decision-makers in Indian cricket met on Saturday to discuss candidates for several positions, including treasurer and Indian Premier League chairman.

The BCCI will elect its new office-bearers on Sunday, September 28, at the Annual General Meeting in New Delhi. Mithun, who never played for India, is set to be elected unopposed, sources have said. Mithun seems to have the backing of the top brass of the BCCI for one of the most powerful jobs in world cricket.

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Mithun Manhas will attend next the September 21 AGM as a nominee of the Jammu and Kashmir cricket body after having worked as its Director of Cricket. Former India spinner Raghuram Bhatt will represent Karnataka while legendary Harbhajan Singh will represent Punjab.

Devajit Saikia is set to continue as BCCI secretary, while Rajeev Shukla — who served as interim president after Binny’s tenure ended last month — will remain vice-president.

Prabtej Bhatia will continue as joint secretary, and former India spinner and Karnataka cricket chief Raghuram Bhatt is expected to take over as treasurer.

Meanwhile, Arun Dhumal is set to continue as IPL chairman.

The BCCI elections are set to be held for key posts, including the president’s role, following Roger Binny’s three-year tenure, which ended in August. Binny stepped down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, although the newly passed National Sports Bill allows administrators to continue until 75.

The BCCI has continued its tradition of having former cricketers in top positions. Before Binny’s term from October 2022 to August 2025, former India captain Sourav Ganguly held the post for three years. Ganguly is expected to attend next week’s AGM as the representative of the Bengal cricket body.

WHO IS MITHUN MANHAS

Born on 12 October 1979 in Jammu and Kashmir, Mithun Manhas is best known as a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket. Over an 18-year first-class career which began in Delhi and ended in Jammu and Kashmir, he played 157 matches and scored 9,714 runs at an average of just under 46, with 27 centuries and 49 fifties. He batted right-handed and occasionally bowled off-spin.

Mithun is among the domestic stalwarts who missed out on a spot in the senior national team due to the wealth of talent in the country.

He was part of the victorious Delhi Ranji Trophy team in 2007-08 and featured in the Indian Premier League, representing Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings between 2008 and 2014.

Mithun also played 130 List A matches and 91 T20s before retiring after the 2017 domestic season.

Off the field, he has been active in coaching and administrative roles. After retiring from professional cricket, he worked as a batting consultant, was part of IPL support staff (notably with Gujarat Titans), and held positions in the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association. Mithun is known for his understanding of grassroots cricket, having played a big role in the development of Jammu and Kashmir cricket.

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