Indian cricket has seen plenty of surprising twists off the field, but this one might just top the list. Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi captain and a name known to every follower of domestic cricket, is suddenly in the spotlight. At 45, he’s tipped to become the next BCCI President—and if that happens, it’ll be historic. Why? Because for the first time ever, an uncapped cricketer could head the world’s most powerful cricket board.
The nominations close on Sunday, and the election date is September 28, but let’s be honest—history suggests it’ll likely be a walkover. That means Indian cricket might soon have a president who never played an international match, yet has lived the game more deeply than most.
The man behind the headlines
So, who exactly is Mithun Manhas? Born in Jammu, he made his first-class debut back in 1997–98. A right-handed middle-order batter, Manhas spent his career trying to break into the Indian team during what many still call the golden era of batting—Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly were immovable pillars. For most cricketers of that generation, the door to Team India was simply bolted shut.
But if international cricket didn’t happen, Manhas made sure he left his mark elsewhere. He became the rock of Delhi’s batting lineup and eventually its long-serving captain. When stars like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were away, it was Manhas who carried the side, year after year. And here’s a fun fact: a young Virat Kohli cut his teeth in domestic cricket under Manhas’s captaincy.
The numbers tell their own story
Manhas was never flashy, but he was ridiculously consistent. His biggest moment came in the 2007–08 Ranji season when he scored more than 900 runs at an average close to 58, leading Delhi to the title after a long wait. While Gambhir captained the final, it was Manhas who had done the heavy lifting all season.
By the time he retired, his record spoke volumes: 9,714 first-class runs at an average above 45, including 27 centuries. In the Ranji Trophy alone, he scored 8,500-plus runs, placing him among the all-time greats of the tournament. Add to that over 4,000 runs in List A and another 1,100 in T20 cricket, and you get a player who was always reliable, always delivering.
And yes, he also had a stint in the IPL. He started with Delhi Daredevils, then moved to Pune Warriors, and finally played for Chennai Super Kings in 2014 under none other than MS Dhoni. In total, he played 55 matches in the league, scoring over 500 runs. Nothing headline-grabbing, but enough to make him a known face in the franchise circuit.
Life after playing
Like many cricketers, Manhas didn’t walk away from the game after hanging up his boots. Instead, he turned to coaching. In 2017, he joined Punjab in the IPL as an assistant coach. That same year, he worked with Bangladesh’s U-19 side as a batting consultant. Then came roles with Royal Challengers Bangalore and, more recently, Gujarat Titans.
But his resume isn’t just about IPL dugouts. Back home, he also worked as the Director of Cricket Operations at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). For a region where cricket infrastructure has often lagged behind, his involvement was seen as a big step forward.
This mix of player, captain, coach, and administrator gives him something unique—an all-round view of how cricket runs in India, from dusty domestic grounds to the glitz of the IPL.
Why this appointment matters
If the signs are right and Manhas does take over as BCCI president, it would be a shift in how the board is run. Until now, the top post has gone to ex-India internationals like Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny or to influential administrators. Manhas brings something different: he represents the unsung heroes of Indian cricket—those who never played for India but built the foundation on which the superstars stood.
It’s also a message that domestic cricket matters. For decades, players like Manhas have been the backbone of the Ranji system, quietly churning out performances without the limelight. Putting one of them in charge of the BCCI would be a statement—that the grind, the sweat, and the unseen hard work of domestic players isn’t forgotten.
What lies ahead
Of course, the BCCI presidency is no easy job. It’s not just about cricket but also politics, big money deals, international relations, and keeping India’s cricketing machine running smoothly. But those who know Manhas describe him as calm, methodical, and quietly determined.
And maybe that’s what Indian cricket needs right now: not a larger-than-life personality, but someone who knows the system inside out and can strengthen it from the ground up.
Final word
So, who is Mithun Manhas? To some, he’ll always be Virat Kohli’s old captain or Dhoni’s one-time CSK teammate. To others, he’s Delhi’s most dependable batter of the 2000s. But starting later this month, he might just be remembered as the first uncapped cricketer to lead the BCCI.
If that happens, it won’t just be a personal triumph for Manhas. It will be a symbolic moment for Indian cricket—a recognition that greatness doesn’t always come with an India cap. Sometimes, it comes from quietly doing the hard yards, year after year, and finally getting the chance to shape the game from the very top.