Former Delhi skipper Mithun Manhas is the frontrunner to become the next president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Senior officials and influential figures in Indian cricket convened in New Delhi to finalize nominations for key positions within the board ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September 28. Manhas, along with other potential candidates, was consulted during these discussions. While Raghuram Bhatt, associated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), is also in consideration, Manhas is currently favored to succeed Roger Binny as president. Manhas enjoyed a successful domestic cricket career, amassing 9,714 runs at an average of 45 in 157 first-class matches, including 27 centuries. He also participated in 130 List A matches and 91 T20s for Delhi and played in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into cricket administration, most notably as the director of cricket operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Raghuram Bhatt, a former India spinner, is another contender for a senior position within the board. His term at the KSCA concludes on September 30, and he is not expected to seek re-election in the upcoming KSCA elections. The meeting’s attendees included individuals nominated for various roles, although it remains unclear whether Sourav Ganguly, the former BCCI president and current representative of the Cricket Association of Bengal, was present. Harbhajan Singh, representing Punjab, did not attend. Additionally, Kiran More, a former India wicketkeeper, is also under consideration for a BCCI position, with the ruling BJP reportedly keen on incorporating more retired players into the administration. As the board seeks a new president, the search for a new IPL chairman is also underway, with Arun Dhumal stepping down due to the established six-year cooling-off period. Pragyan Ojha is expected to replace S. Sharath on the Ajit Agarkar-led panel, while RP Singh will take Subroto Banerjee’s place. The new selection committee will begin its duties on September 28, starting with the upcoming West Indies home Test series.
