NEW DELHI: Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas was on Sunday elected as the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The 45-year-old becomes the 37th president of the board, succeeding Roger Binny, who stepped down last month after turning 70.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Manhas, a seasoned domestic cricketer, emerged as the consensus choice following an informal meeting of BCCI’s key decision-makers earlier this month in New Delhi. His nomination was backed strongly by the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), marking a rare moment of recognition for a region traditionally on the margins of Indian cricket.The former middle-order batter brings with him a formidable playing record. Between 1997-98 and 2016-17, Manhas featured in 157 first-class, 130 List A and 55 IPL matches. He amassed 9,714 first-class runs at an average of 45.82, including 27 centuries and 49 half-centuries, while also contributing with the ball. His standout season came in 2007-08 when he scored 921 runs, playing a pivotal role in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy triumph.

Manhas also represented three IPL franchises — Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, and Chennai Super Kings — scoring 514 runs in 55 matches. Post-retirement, he remained closely involved in cricket as a coach and administrator, known for his calm temperament and focus on grassroots development.With his election, Manhas becomes only the third former cricketer after Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny to occupy the BCCI’s top chair. Reacting to his appointment, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the development as “a providential Sunday” for Doda, the remote district in Jammu & Kashmir where Manhas has roots.