In a significant development, Mithun Manhas, a former cricketer who captained Delhi, is likely to be appointed as the next president of the BCCI. Senior officials and key stakeholders of Indian cricket assembled in New Delhi on Saturday to make final decisions on appointments for the board’s major posts, which will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28. Manhas was among the individuals who were consulted, along with Raghuram Bhatt, the head of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). While both are being considered, Manhas is the favored choice to replace Roger Binny as president. Manhas had an accomplished domestic career, accumulating 9,714 runs at an average of 45 in 157 first-class matches, including 27 centuries. He also played 130 List A matches and 91 T20s for Delhi, and appeared in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors. Since retiring, he has been involved in cricket administration, notably as the director of cricket operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Raghuram Bhatt, an ex-India spinner, is also in contention for a senior position. His tenure at the KSCA is set to conclude on September 30, and he is not expected to participate in the next KSCA elections. It is unknown whether Sourav Ganguly, the former BCCI president and current representative of the Cricket Association of Bengal, attended the meeting. However, Harbhajan Singh, the Punjab representative, was absent. Kiran More, a former India wicketkeeper, is also a potential candidate for a role within the BCCI. The board is also looking for a new IPL chairman, with Arun Dhumal leaving due to the cooling-off period. Pragyan Ojha will replace S. Sharath in the Ajit Agarkar-led panel, and RP Singh will take Subroto Banerjee’s place. The new selection committee will begin its work on September 28, with the upcoming West Indies home Test series marking their first assignment.