New Delhi: When current BCCI president Mithun Manhas stepped in as one of the administrators of the crisis-hit Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in 2021, he had a tough task ahead of him. The association is grappling with allegations of mismanagement and corruption and restoring order is a top priority.
Manhas was overcome with emotion as Jammu and Kashmir wrote history by reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time on Wednesday.
“When I took over as administrator, it was not easy. Jay Shah, the then BCCI secretary, asked me to let go and told me to do whatever it takes to get Jammu and Kashmir cricket back on track,” Manhas told PTI in an exclusive interaction after J&K beat two-time former champions Bangladesh by six wickets in the Ranji semifinals at Kalyani.
“I watched the game on TV and beating a team like Bangladesh that had players like Mohammad Shami and Aakash Deep was a huge achievement. The cricketer in me was excited when I ended my first-class career and was working there for the national unit.”
Looking back on the journey, Manhas said talent was never an issue – what the team needed was the right structure.
“I am very grateful to Brigadier General Anil Gupta, his work is commendable. When I took over, we launched a talent recruitment competition,” he said, referring to his colleagues in the BCCI subcommittee that once oversaw cricket management in J&K.
“Left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar has played an important role and is a product of the talent hunt. Having played in Delhi for almost two decades, I know what it takes to be successful at this level. Our cricket board has done a great job, being honest and transparent,” said Manhas, a Delhi stalwart who has scored 9,714 runs in 157 first-class matches.
While infrastructure remains a challenge in the region, the focus is on preparing competitive playing conditions.
“Both the Habx Stadium in Srinagar and the University Stadium in Jammu have 10 centres, each of which has red and black soil courts. We are the only state in north India to have both black and red soil belts,” Manhas said.
“When we played against Mumbai last year and beat them, the team went to Mumbai for training at least a week before the game,” he recalled.
The commission itself was constituted under the direction of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court following administrative irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Commission.
Paras Dogra and Ajay Sharma’s rope show
Manhas believes that one of his major contributions was convincing experienced domestic performer Paras Dogra to represent the state as a professional at the age of 41.
Dogra now captains the team and Manhas’ former Sonnets clubmate and former India player, Delhi senior Ajay Sharma, is the head coach.
“I have played a lot of cricket with Paras. He is not only a great cricketer but a great professional. Paras has played a lot of cricket in Himachal Pradesh and the conditions there are very similar to those in J&K.
“The next part is that for two decades he regularly played club cricket in the UK during the off-season, which was a great way to imbibe discipline and professionalism,” he said.
“We needed a consistent, experienced middle-order batsman who could guide us in the tight moments, and as you can see, Paras was excellent,” Manhas added.
He also said it would not be difficult to convince Dogra and Sharma to join the project.
“As far as Ajay bhai is concerned, we all know that he is a first-class cricketer and he has a wealth of knowledge on how to succeed at the domestic level. So, when I approached both of them with my vision, it was not difficult to convince them to join the ranks,” the BCCI president said.
Ochibu Nabi knocks on national team door
Another player who performed well was Auqib Nabi, popularly known as the ‘Baramulla Express’, who became the first cricketer from the state to take 50 wickets. Manhas believes his performance has definitely caught the attention of the selectors.
“Obviously, Nabi has been excellent for J&K and done what was expected of him. He has been a match-winner and has won big matches in the last two seasons. Now, as the BCCI president, it is not my place to comment on the selection.
“Yes, as a cricketer, I can say that he is knocking on the door of the national team. Now it is up to the selection committee to see what kind of role he suits,” Manhas concluded.
