By Admin 
Mithun Manhas – a domestic cricket stalwart who has been involved in Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association – has termed his elevation to the post of the Board of Control for Cricket in India as a huge responsibility.
“Maybe my work, my credentials,” Manhas, a stylish batter who excelled for Delhi for well over a decade after relocating from Jammu & Kashmir, his native state, in quest of furthering his cricket career.
“Credentials both as an administrator, as well as a cricketer. Over the last four years I’ve been working with the JKCA, we have qualified for the knockouts seven times. It (the experience) will certainly help. It’s a huge responsibility as well. I give my assurance that I’ll be committed to do it to the best of my ability and dedication and passion.”
Manhas, who finished his career as a player-coach of his native team, was a member of the BCCI-appointed committee of administrators to look after JKCA affairs. In the last four years, besides making it to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal last season, the J&K under-15 and under-23 men and senior women’s teams have also qualified for the knockouts during this period.
While Sourav Ganguly, the Cricket Association of Bengal president, remained absent, Harbhajan Singh turned out to be the most high-profile cricketer to attend the AGM, having been nominated by the Punjab Cricket Association for the first time.
Manhas, who played for India Under-19 before featuring in 157 First Class games, thus becomes the third consecutive BCCI president to have been a prolific domestic cricketer, following into the footsteps of Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny. Harbhajan, who has been Manhas’ zonal teammate since their junior days, welcomed the tradition of involving cricketers with administrative responsiblities.
“When a cricketer heads a cricket body, his experience and other qualities help. It’s a good decision and it’s been happening for the last three terms which is a great thing for the cricketers as well for him to give something back to the game,” Harbhajan said.
“The BCCI has started this and there cannot be anything greater for any cricketer that he can also give something back. I have played a lot of cricket with Mithun since the U-19 days and I am very happy for him.”