Srinagar, September 21 — Mithun Manhas, the Chenabi batter from Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab Valley, has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), according to a report in The Indian Express. The 45-year-old, known for his steadfast domestic career, could soon helm the game’s premier administrative body, capping a journey marked by resilience and quiet achievement.
The contest, which initially featured prominent figures such as Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh, has narrowed following a key BCCI meeting. Nominations close today, Sunday, September 21, with elections set for September 28—a timeline that underscores the board’s ongoing transition, as per details received by The Chenab Times.
Hailing from the Bhalessa region of Chenab Valley, Manhas debuted for Delhi in the 1997-98 Ranji Trophy season. Despite competing against luminaries like Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid, he never earned a national call-up, yet built a formidable reputation in domestic cricket. Across 157 first-class matches, he accumulated 9,714 runs, including 27 centuries, while also scoring 4,126 runs in 130 List A games and 1,170 in 91 T20s.
As Delhi captain, Manhas mentored a young Virat Kohli in his early years. His standout 2007-08 season yielded 921 runs at an average of 57.56, paving the way for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy triumph—though Gautam Gambhir led in the semi-final and final. In 2015, he returned to Jammu and Kashmir, bolstering the state’s domestic outfit with his expertise.
Manhas entered the Indian Premier League with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in its 2008 inaugural edition, staying until 2010 before stints with Pune Warriors India and Chennai Super Kings in 2014. In 55 IPL matches, he scored 514 runs at an average of 22.34.
Post-retirement in 2016, Manhas transitioned to coaching. He served as assistant coach for Punjab Kings in 2017, then as batting consultant for Bangladesh’s Under-19 team for two years. He later joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as assistant coach, and currently holds the same role with Gujarat Titans, the 2022 IPL champions.
Should Manhas secure the presidency, it would mark a significant milestone for a player whose career thrived on domestic rigour rather than international acclaim. As the September 28 elections approach, his candidacy highlights the depth of talent within Indian cricket’s grassroots.
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| Full name | Tahir Rihat | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Tahir Bilal | ||
| Date of Birth | 02 January 1999 | ||
| Occupation | Journalist; Online Editor | ||
| Employer | The Chenab Times | ||
| Base | Thathri, Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, India | ||
| Website | tahirrihat.com | ||
| Social | YouTube | ||
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an Indian journalist and online editor at The Chenab Times. Based in Thathri, Doda, he reports on regional affairs, civic governance, and human-interest stories across Jammu and Kashmir. Rihat also maintains a personal website, tahirrihat.com, where he shares professional updates and reflections on journalism in the Chenab Valley.
