The landscape of Indian domestic cricket witnessed a seismic shift on Wednesday as Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) secured their first-ever spot in the Ranji Trophy final. For Mithun Manhas—the current BCCI President and a former J&K captain—this milestone is the culmination of a five-year mission to transform a struggling association into a powerhouse of talent.+1
Since returning to the region in 2021 as part of a BCCI-mandated sub-committee, Manhas has been the architect of a complete structural overhaul. By prioritizing player interests and professionalizing the state’s cricketing DNA, he helped a team once labeled as “underachievers” dismantle heavyweights like Bengal and Mumbai on their way to the championship match.+1
Foundation of Success: The Manhas Blueprint
- Talent Hunt Revolution: Manhas initiated a massive scouting program that reached every district and village in J&K, identifying stars like left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar who played a pivotal role in the semifinals.
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Recognizing the need for versatile players, the association imported red soil from Mumbai to create professional strips at the GGM Science College ground, allowing local bowlers to prepare for diverse Indian conditions.
- Coaching and Support: Under his leadership, the number of certified Level II coaches in the region grew from a handful to over 40, supported by professional physiotherapists and trainers.
- Strategic Leadership: The decision to bring in veteran Paras Dogra as captain and former India player Ajay Sharma as coach provided the “stable, experienced heads” necessary to guide the young squad through high-pressure knockouts.
Manhas credited the support of former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for providing the “free hand” needed to clean up the administration and unlock the region’s potential. He emphasized that the era of “quotas” between Jammu and Srinagar has been replaced by a strictly merit-based system, which has unearthed talent from remote areas like Rajouri and the Chenab Valley.+1
As J&K prepares to face Karnataka in the final on February 24, Manhas believes the result is almost secondary to the inspiration this run has provided. For the current BCCI chief, seeing the “Baramulla Express” Auqib Nabi and young star Abdul Samad perform on the national stage is proof that J&K is no longer just a participant, but a genuine contender in the world of cricket.
