BCCI President chatter boiled over as Mithun Manhas, a seasoned domestic player, emerged as the surprise frontrunner. The former Delhi captain filed his nomination on Sept 21, making him the only candidate for the vacant post.
For context, Manhas is 45 and never played for India – so his jump to the top feels almost cinematic. This follows months of speculation and Roger Binny’s August exit.
For cricket fans, it was a big twist – in days, a longtime campaigner shot to the top. I’ll explain what led to this moment and what it means for Indian cricket.
Manhas Emerges as BCCI President Frontrunner
Manhas’s candidacy came as a surprise. When nominations closed on Sept 21, he was the only name submitted. The presidency had been vacant since Roger Binny resigned in August, with Rajeev Shukla as interim.
Shukla confirmed that a consensus panel endorsed Manhas for president. The agreed slate is:
- Mithun Manhas – President
- Rajeev Shukla – Vice-President
- Prabhtej Singh Bhatia – Joint Secretary
- Raghuram Bhat – Treasurer
With no other nominees, Manhas is virtually assured of the role at the Sept 28 AGM.
SUGGESTED READ: BCCI Board Head Race Heats Up After Delhi Meeting
From Domestic Star to BCCI President Nominee
Mithun Manhas was a familiar name in India’s domestic circuit – the unsung backbone of Delhi’s batting. In 157 first-class matches, he scored 9,714 runs, plus thousands more in one-day and T20 games.
He was the first Jammu & Kashmir player in the IPL, turning out for Delhi, Pune and Chennai. After retiring in 2017, he stayed in the game, coaching IPL teams and joining cricket committees.
Career highlights:
- 157 FC matches, 9,714 runs
- 130 List A games, 4,126 runs
- 91 T20 matches, 1,170 runs
- Played for IPL teams: Delhi, Pune, Chennai
- First-ever J&K player in the IPL
- North Zone Duleep Trophy convener; IPL batting consultant
He quietly accumulated runs season after season.
What does a Manhas Presidency Means for Indian Cricket?
A Ranji Trophy veteran running the BCCI is rare – it’s like choosing the club coach as captain. It shows the board wanted a steady hand. As one veteran writer noted, it’s “quite an irony” that a JKCA administrator would become BCCI President.
In the modern BCCI, quick consensus picks have become the norm, so Manhas’s unopposed rise fits recent patterns. Assuming no rival steps up, the Sept 28 AGM will rubber-stamp his appointment.
@pdevendra
Mithun Manhas has filed his nomination today for the #BCCI president post.
Mithun Manhas has filed his nomination today for #BCCI president post. pic.twitter.com/MgKqkkzQqJ
— Devendra Pandey (@pdevendra) September 21, 2025
He’ll take over with Shukla as VP and Saikia as secretary. His calm style should bring a new vibe – like a crafty spinner on a flat pitch. Now it’s up to him how this innings plays out.
In summary, a long-time campaigner is suddenly one step away from cricket’s biggest chair. Hats off to this workhorse – it’s a bit like a net bowler suddenly getting a Test cap.
A new chapter begins Sept 28, and I, for one, will be watching every delivery of this new innings. It’s certainly one of the more surprising storylines I’ve covered.
YOU MIGHT READ: 25 Record-Breaking Highest Scores in Women’s ODI Cricket
FAQs
- Who is Mithun Manhas?
A veteran domestic player who captained Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, playing 157 first-class games (9,714 runs). After retiring in 2017, he became an IPL coach and administrator. - Is Mithun Manhas confirmed as the BCCI President?
Not yet. He filed his nomination on Sept 21 as the sole candidate. With no rivals, he is expected to be confirmed at the AGM on Sept 28. - When will the new BCCI President be chosen?
At the BCCI AGM on September 28, 2025. - What were Mithun Manhas’s cricket stats?
He scored 9,714 first-class runs (plus 4,126 in List A and 1,170 in T20) and played in the IPL for Delhi, Pune and Chennai. - Who else is expected on the new BCCI panel?
The consensus panel includes Rajeev Shukla (VP), Devajit Saikia (secretary) and Prabhtej Bhatia (joint sec). Former spinner Raghuram Bhat is likely treasurer.
