Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas is all set to take over as the next President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to several media reports, Mithun Manhas is likely to be elected unopposed at the board’s annual general meeting on September 28. The news has surprised many, but a report by the Times of India has shed light on how the decision was made.
Mithun Manhas set to be the new BCCI President? A tricky choice
As per the report, the BCCI was in a bit of a fix while deciding on the right candidate, with no clear option standing out. The board was determined to appoint a cricketer to the top post, in line with the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee’s recommendations that became part of the BCCI constitution in 2019.
Who were the other contenders?
The names under consideration included Mithun Manhas, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, Raghuram Bhat, and Harbhajan Singh. However, it was BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia who strongly pushed for Mithun Manhas. After long discussions, the final call was taken in the early hours of Saturday.
Decision made after late-night meeting
“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 TOI.
From Ranji Hero to BCCI Head: The Mithun Manhas Journey
With this move, Manhas will become the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to head the BCCI. The 45-year-old began his cricket journey playing U-16 for J&K before moving to Delhi. He will also be making history as the first uncapped cricketer ever to become BCCI President.
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Manhas’ cricketing journey
During his career, Manhas played 157 first-class matches and even captained big names like Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, and Virender Sehwag while leading Delhi. He also featured in the Indian Premier League, representing Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, and Chennai Super Kings
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