Why BCCI president Mithun Manhas was hoisted by players after J&K's Ranji Trophy win
India Today
Jammu & Kashmir secured their first-ever Ranji Trophy title with a historic win over Karnataka. Mithun Manhas' vision and introduction of red-soil wickets played a crucial role in this transformation.
Players from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) lifted Mithun Manhas, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), after their historic Ranji Trophy triumph on Saturday, 28 February at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground. J&K defeated Karnataka cricket team by virtue of a first-innings lead and etched their name into the history books by winning their maiden title.
On Day 5, J&K resumed their second innings on 186/4 with Qamran Iqbal (94*) and Sahil Lotra (16*) at the crease. The duo continued to build on their partnership on the final day and went on to score their respective centuries. They stitched together a massive 197-run stand for the fifth wicket as J&K eventually declared their innings on 342/4, having extended their lead to a commanding 633 runs.
Iqbal remained unbeaten on 160, while Lotra scored 101 not out, as J&K players ran onto the field in jubilation to celebrate their maiden triumph. They were also seen lifting Manhas onto their shoulders, acknowledging the pivotal role he has played in their transformation. Manhas shifted his domestic base from Delhi to Jammu & Kashmir in 2015 before retiring from professional cricket the following year.
Later, he served on the sub-committee appointed by the BCCI to oversee the functioning of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association. Born in Jammu, he worked alongside Anil Gupta and Jay Shah in shaping the team’s direction.
Following J&K’s triumph, Brigadier Anil Gupta also highlighted Manhas’ contribution to the team’s transformation. He explained how Manhas brought in Anil Sharma as head coach and introduced red-soil wickets for the players to practise on.
Ranji Trophy: Karnataka vs Jammu & Kashmir Highlights
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