Former Delhi cricketer Mithun Manhas has been elected as the new President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The announcement came following the conclusion of the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Sunday, September 28, and will succeed Roger Binny.
The 45-year-old becomes the first individual from Jammu and Kashmir to head the BCCI. He is also the first uncapped player to occupy the prestigious post. The decision was made following the Lodha Committee’s recommendations incorporated into the BCCI constitution in 2019.
Meanwhile, Manhas moved to Delhi after representing Jammu & Kashmir at the U-16 level and went on to play 157 first-class matches, captaining Delhi alongside players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and Aakash Chopra. He represented IPL franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings, and also served as an assistant coach for Gujarat Titans.
It wasn’t a straightforward decision: BCCI source
The AGM also saw the election of other office-bearers who will work alongside Manhas. Rajeev Shukla was declared Hon. Vice-President, Devajit Saikia continues as Hon. Secretary, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia takes over as Hon. Joint-Secretary, and A. Raghuram Bhat assumes the role of Hon. Treasurer. Furthermore, Jaydev Niranjan Shah was appointed as the sole Member of the Apex Council, while Arun Singh Dhumal and M. Khairul Jamal Majumdar were inducted into the Governing Council.
According to reports, the BCCI faced a challenging situation in identifying a suitable candidate, with other potential contenders including Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, and Raghuram Bhat. Following intensive discussions and legal consultations, the board ensured that a cricketer would lead, stating a preference for on-field experience in administrative leadership.
“It wasn’t a straightforward decision for the forces in the BCCI. All the technicalities were discussed around Manhas. Legal opinion was taken in this regard. The meeting went on almost till midnight. The board found a way around to have a cricketer as the president,” a BCCI source told TΟΙ.
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