Harbhajan Singh is cheering on his old teammate Mithun Manhas, who just stepped up as the new BCCI President. The former Indian off-spinner shared his excitement and best wishes, saying Manhas will build on the strong legacy of Indian cricket during his term.
Voters elected Manhas as the 37th BCCI President at the board’s 94th Annual General Meeting on Sunday. He stepped into the role after Roger Binny left in August, with Rajeev Shukla handling things as interim vice president. Manhas stood alone as the candidate, making his win a smooth one.
Harbhajan loves that the BCCI keeps picking former cricketers for the top job. “When a cricketer leads the board, their experience shines through, and it’s a smart move,” he told reporters. “It’s happened for the last three terms, and it’s a great way for players to give back to the game.” He added that he played tons of cricket with Manhas, starting from their Under-19 days, and feels thrilled for his friend’s big moment.
Looking ahead, Harbhajan hopes Manhas focuses on boosting cricket facilities across India. “I want him to fix the things he missed out on as a player,” the 45-year-old said. “He can use his lessons to help the next generation, so no kid from any background or region gets held back by poor infrastructure.” Harbhajan pointed to exciting progress already underway, like new cricket grounds popping up nationwide, including a massive setup in Pondicherry. “Cricket’s reaching even the smallest towns now—big credit to the BCCI. I hope Mithun keeps that momentum going and does even better.”
Manhas, who turns 46 in October, hails from Jammu and Kashmir, born on October 12, 1979. He never earned an India cap but became a domestic cricket star. After retiring in 2017, he joined a BCCI sub-committee to manage the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association. He’s also coached with teams like the Bangladesh Under-19 men’s side and IPL franchises such as Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Gujarat Titans.
Right after his election, Manhas spoke to the media about the honor. “It’s a huge responsibility, and I promise full commitment with dedication and passion,” he said. “The BCCI is the world’s best board, with top players, facilities, and support from millions. Our goal? Pure development to push Indian cricket forward.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
