Mithun Manhas, a seasoned domestic cricket star and former IPL player, is on the verge of making history as the first uncapped cricketer to lead the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). At 45, Manhas has surprised many by emerging as the leading contender for the prestigious role following an intense meeting among board administrators in New Delhi.
The deadline for filing nominations is September 22, with elections scheduled for September 28. Traditionally, the BCCI presidency has often been decided without opposition, and the trend of appointing former cricketers continues after names like Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny.
Journey of Mithun Manhas
Debuting in the 1997/98 season, Manhas was a reliable middle-order batter who unfortunately found himself in the era dominated by Indian greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly. Despite not earning a spot in the Indian national team, his contribution to domestic cricket was immense.
As captain of Delhi, Manhas became a key figure in shaping the careers of younger players, including Virat Kohli. One of his finest seasons was in 2007/08 when Delhi clinched the Ranji Trophy title. While Gautam Gambhir captained in the semifinal and final, Manhas played a central role by scoring 921 runs at an average of 57.56 that season.
Later, in 2015, he shifted to Jammu and Kashmir to represent his home state, a move that reflected his roots, as he was born in Jammu before moving to Delhi in pursuit of cricket opportunities.
Records and Achievements
Over a career spanning nearly two decades, Manhas played 157 first-class matches, scoring 9714 runs with an average above 45, including 27 centuries. He remains one of the most prolific batters in Ranji Trophy history with 8554 runs in 206 innings. His List A career includes 4126 runs in 130 matches, while in T20s he amassed 1170 runs across 91 matches.
In the IPL, Manhas represented Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings. In seven seasons and 55 matches, he scored 514 runs. He later transitioned into coaching, first as assistant coach of Punjab Kings, then as batting consultant for Bangladesh U-19, followed by assistant coaching stints with Royal Challengers Bangalore and currently with Gujarat Titans.
Manhas also contributed as an administrator, serving as Director of Cricket Operations for the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. His blend of on-field success, coaching expertise, and management experience now places him as a top contender for the role of BCCI president.