In a surprising development, Mithun Manhas, a former Delhi cricketer, is the leading candidate to become the next president of the BCCI. Key figures in Indian cricket, including senior officials, gathered in New Delhi on Saturday to determine the individuals who will fill the top posts within the board during the upcoming AGM on September 28. Several potential candidates, including Manhas and Raghuram Bhatt, the head of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), were interviewed. Manhas is considered the frontrunner to replace Roger Binny as the BCCI president. Manhas had a notable domestic career, scoring 9,714 runs at an average of 45 in 157 first-class games, including 27 centuries. He also played in 130 List A matches and 91 T20s for Delhi and participated in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors. Post-retirement, he has been involved in cricket administration, serving as the director of cricket operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Raghuram Bhatt, a former India spinner, is another potential candidate for a senior role within the board. His tenure at the KSCA will conclude on September 30, and he is not expected to contest the upcoming KSCA elections. The meeting may or may not have been attended by Sourav Ganguly, the former BCCI president and current representative of the Cricket Association of Bengal. Harbhajan Singh, who was nominated as Punjab’s representative, did not attend the gathering. Kiran More, a former India wicketkeeper, is also being considered for a position within the BCCI. The board is also seeking a new IPL chairman, with Arun Dhumal stepping down. Pragyan Ojha is expected to join the Ajit Agarkar-led panel, replacing S. Sharath, and RP Singh will take over from Subroto Banerjee. The new selection committee will start their work on September 28, beginning with the upcoming West Indies home Test series.