Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of a historic moment in Indian cricket administration. Mithun Manhas, a cricketer who first held the willow on the maidan of Jammu before making his mark in Delhi, is set to take charge as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – the world’s most influential and wealthiest cricketing body.
Manhas’s elevation carries special resonance for Jammu and Kashmir. For a region where cricketers have often struggled against odds, limited infrastructure, uneven exposure, and political instability, his rise to the highest administrative post in Indian cricket is more than an individual achievement. It is a symbolic breakthrough, placing J&K firmly on the national cricketing map.
According to reports, as per Alfaaz – The Words, Manhas is set to be elected unopposed at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28. The decision follows marathon discussions among top board officials, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia ultimately backing Manhas as the consensus candidate. Manhas’ appointment also fulfills the Lodha Committee’s recommendation of having a cricketer at the helm of the board.
At 45, Manhas born in Bhalessa Doda, becomes the first ever from Jammu and Kashmir to head the BCCI and, significantly, the first uncapped cricketer to hold the prestigious post. A prolific run-getter in domestic cricket, he featured in 157 first-class matches, scoring over 9,000 runs. His leadership credentials were honed during his years captaining Delhi, where he led stalwarts like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and Aakash Chopra. In the IPL, he was first from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a successful bid, and went on to represent Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings.
The anticipated announcement has already sparked celebration across cricket circles in Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond symbolism, many see Manhas’s rise as a potential turning point for the region’s cricketing ecosystem, which has for years yearned for greater representation and resources.
As Manhas prepares to assume the most powerful chair in Indian cricket, Jammu and Kashmir watches with pride, and with renewed hope that the son of its soil will carry the voice of the region to the very heart of the cricketing establishment.
