Mithun Manhas takes charge as new BCCI president, third cricketer in a row to helm Indian cricket

Mithun Manhas, the seasoned domestic cricket stalwart from Delhi, was on September 28 elected unopposed as the new President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), marking a historic continuity of cricketers at the helm after Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny. His appointment was confirmed at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.

The 45-year-old succeeds Binny at a time when Indian cricket stands at a crossroads—balancing the twin imperatives of global dominance on the field and transparency in administration. Previously Director of Cricket at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, Manhas emerged as the unanimous choice of power-brokers in Indian cricket after marathon discussions on key leadership roles.

Alongside him, Rajeev Shukla retained the vice-president’s post, while Devajit Saikia was elected secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia joint-secretary. A Raghuram Bhat will serve as treasurer, tasked with financial stewardship of the world’s richest cricket board. Jaydev Niranjan Shah was named to the Apex Council, while Arun Singh Dhumal and M. Khairul Jamal Majumdar were inducted into the Governing Council to oversee long-term strategies, including the IPL.

The man behind the post

Born in Jammu in 1979, Manhas carved out a decorated first-class career without ever playing for India. A versatile cricketer—bat, ball, and even gloves when needed—he captained Delhi across several crucial seasons, including guiding the side to its Ranji Trophy triumph in 2007-08 after nearly two decades. That season, he amassed 921 runs at an average of 57.56, underlining his grit and consistency.

Over 157 first-class games, he piled up 9,714 runs with 27 centuries, earning respect as one of the most reliable performers in domestic cricket. He also shared the field with a young Virat Kohli, mentoring the future India captain in his formative years.

Manhas further broadened his profile in the IPL, representing Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings across different seasons. His wide-ranging experience as a player and administrator is now set to inform his stewardship of Indian cricket’s most powerful body.

With his elevation, Manhas joins a rare line of cricketers-turned-administrators, entrusted with steering Indian cricket’s next chapter — where governance, global ambitions, and grassroots growth converge.