In a landmark decision at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Annual General Meeting, former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas was unanimously elected as the new president, becoming the 37th head of Indian cricket’s top administrative body. He succeeds Roger Binny, who resigned last month upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Business Standard+3The Times of India+3Hindustan Times+3
A smooth transition
The election, held on September 28, 2025, saw Manhas emerge as the sole candidate, receiving full support from all member associations present. His unanimous selection reflects a consensus that his experience in domestic cricket and administrative roles makes him a fitting successor to Binny. Until the election, Rajeev Shukla had been managing presidential responsibilities on an interim basis. Business Standard+2Hindustan Times+2
Roger Binny’s tenure ended last month after he reached the Board’s retirement threshold. Over the past few years, the presidency had shifted among former cricketers — with Sourav Ganguly before Binny — making Manhas the third consecutive ex-player to assume the role. The Economic Times+3Hindustan Times+3India Today+3
Who is Mithun Manhas?
Born on October 12, 1979, in Jammu and Kashmir, Manhas built a distinguished career in Indian domestic cricket before venturing into coaching and administration. Over 18 seasons, he played 157 first-class matches, scoring 9,714 runs with an average around 45.82. He also featured in limited-overs and T20 formats, and at times donned the gloves or bowled off-spin. Hindustan Times+3Wikipedia+3India Today+3 During his domestic tenure, he captained Delhi, particularly in seasons when stars like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were busy with international duties. India Today+2Hindustan Times+2
Despite his domestic prominence, Manhas never played for the Indian national side. Yet his administrative work — especially in Jammu & Kashmir — has drawn attention. He worked as Director of Cricket for the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), helping nurture infrastructure and talent in the region. The Economic Times+3Hindustan Times+3The Indian Express+3
Following his election, Manhas remarked that his track record in administration and cricket might have helped win trust. “Maybe my work, my credentials … as both an administrator and as a cricketer (worked in my favour),” he told reporters. He expressed gratitude, but also acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with leading the richest cricket board in the world. The Indian Express+1
New team, new direction
Alongside Manhas’s election, the AGM confirmed multiple new office bearers:
- Rajeev Shukla — Vice President (resuming the role)
- Devajit Saikia — Secretary
- Prabhtej Singh Bhatia — Joint Secretary
- A. Raghuram Bhat — Treasurer The Times of India+3Business Standard+3Vijay Karnataka+3
The men’s and women’s selection panels are also getting a makeover: RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha have joined the men’s selection committee, while Amita Sharma now leads the women’s selection committee. The governing council and apex council each received fresh inductees.
Observers say the new lineup reflects a shift toward combining experience from former players, youth development, and financial prudence. The Economic Times+2The Economic Times+2
Challenges and expectations
Manhas steps into the role at a critical juncture. Indian cricket is gearing up for multiple marquee events, including the Women’s Cricket World Cup and various ICC tournaments to be held in or co-hosted by India. He inherits a substantial budget, massive broadcast and sponsorship deals, and a large cricketing ecosystem — from grassroots to international teams. Wikipedia+4Hindustan Times+4India Today+4
Some analysts suggest his lack of an international playing career might draw scrutiny, but supporters argue his administrative track record and regional insights — especially from Jammu & Kashmir — could bring fresh perspectives. Hindustan Times+3The Indian Express+3The Economic Times+3
For thousands of cricket fans across India, Manhas’s elevation resonates as a triumph of domestic cricket credentials and consensus-building in boardroom politics. Now, all eyes turn to how he transforms vision into action at Indian cricket’s highest levels.
