Mithun Manhas, Former CSK Batter, Set To Be Named BCCI President: What It Means, What Changes Next
Mithun Manhas, Former CSK Batter, Set To Be Named BCCI President: What It Means, What Changes Next
Former Delhi and Chennai Super Kings batter Mithun Manhas is set to become the next president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), according to multiple reports. The position fell vacant after Roger Binny’s tenure ended, with a fresh set of office-bearer appointments expected to be confirmed at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). Manhas, a domestic stalwart and respected coach-administrator, is poised to take over at a time when Indian cricket is expanding globally while fine-tuning governance, selection pathways, and the IPL’s commercial growth.
Who Is Mithun Manhas?
Mithun Manhas is one of Indian domestic cricket’s most prolific batters. He scored 9,714 runs in 157 first-class matches, including 27 centuries, and captained Delhi during a strong Ranji era. He also played the IPL for Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, and Chennai Super Kings. Though he never debuted for India, his leadership and consistency in the domestic circuit earned respect across dressing rooms.
He later moved into coaching and administration, serving in support roles with IPL franchises (including Gujarat Titans) and coaching stints across age-group and franchise structures. He is currently an administrator with the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) and has been the North Zone convener for the Duleep Trophy. He was also the first player from Jammu & Kashmir to feature in the IPL, a milestone he leveraged to push opportunities for players from the region.
Why Is He The Front-Runner?
Broad-base credibility: Long, successful first-class career, IPL experience, and coaching pedigree.
Administrative grounding: JKCA management experience and national zonal responsibilities.
Consensus candidate: Seen as a bridge-builder among state associations and stakeholders.
Timing: With key posts rotating and a cool-off cycle for some incumbents, a fresh yet cricket-savvy face fits the moment.
Reports also indicate a slate of other changes likely around him, including continuity in some posts and movement in others (treasurer, joint secretary, and potential continuity for the IPL chair, subject to cooling-off norms).
What Changes Could His Presidency Bring?
Pathways and pipeline: Expect sharper alignment between domestic cricket, India A, and national selection, with emphasis on role clarity and fitness standards.
State association engagement: More structured support for emerging regions, including infrastructure grants, high-performance hubs, and calendar discipline.
Women’s cricket uplift: Continued investment in WPL structures, age-group scouting, and international scheduling to keep pace with rapid global growth.
Umpiring and tech: Strengthening domestic officiating through training and tech inputs, plus more DRS and analytics integration at senior domestic levels.
Player welfare: Data-backed scheduling, travel and recovery protocols, and enhanced insurance/safety frameworks.
Selection Panel Updates Already In Motion
Alongside the top-office appointments, selection changes are being readied. Pragyan Ojha is set to come into the senior men’s selection committee, with downstream shifts in the junior panel (including appointments like Sharath and RP Singh). The current committee will pick the squad for the two-Test home series against West Indies beginning October 2, after which the new selectors take charge. This handover provides continuity for the immediate series while setting up a refreshed selection structure through the season.
Why A Former Uncapped Pro At The Helm Makes Sense
Indian cricket has often been led by former internationals at the BCCI level. Manhas represents a growing recognition that deep domestic experience, combined with modern coaching and administrative exposure, can be just as valuable for governing a massive cricket economy. He understands scheduling stress points, player workloads, and how to translate state association needs into national outcomes. In an era of packed calendars, franchise dynamics, and evolving ICC relationships, that blend is useful.
What To Watch Next
AGM confirmation: Expect formalization of president, treasurer, joint secretary, and clarity on IPL chair continuity.
Early signals: First 90 days often bring committees for domestic revamp, umpiring, facilities, and a review of state association support.
National team pathway: Coordination between selection, NCA, and states on workload management and injury prevention.
Commercial clarity: Media rights, fan experience, and grassroots funding distribution frameworks.
Quick Career Snapshot: Mithun Manhas
Born: Jammu; established in Delhi cricket before moving to J&K late in career.
First-class: 157 matches, 9,714 runs, 27 hundreds.
IPL: Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, Chennai Super Kings.
Roles after playing: IPL support staff, India age-group consulting, JKCA administrator, North Zone convener (Duleep Trophy).
What This Means For Indian Cricket Right Now
A player-administrator with domestic depth stepping into the BCCI’s top role could bring sharper alignment across levels. If confirmed, Manhas will inherit a stable but ambitious ecosystem: a powerhouse national team, a flagship league in the IPL, and a widening women’s game. The task is to keep standards high, scheduling sane, and pathways open—while ensuring that state associations remain partners in growth, not passengers.