From Grant Govan To Mithun Manhas: A List Of All BCCI Presidents Till Date | Cricket News

Since its inception in 1928, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has grown from a fledgling body run by princely patrons into the most powerful cricketing institution in the world.

From aristocrats and politicians to former cricketers and legal minds, here’s a comprehensive look at all BCCI presidents so far:

1. R. E. Grant Govan (1928-1933)

The first BCCI President, Govan laid the administrative foundation of Indian cricket. His tenure was about consolidating the board’s structure and helping India gain Test status in 1932, marking the country’s entry into international cricket’s elite circle.

2. Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan (1933-1935)

A prominent statesman, Khan oversaw the early struggles of Indian cricket in its formative international years. His brief tenure balanced politics and sport, ensuring cricket maintained relevance despite socio-political tensions brewing in pre-independence India.

3. Nawab Hamidullah Khan (1935-1937)

The Bhopal ruler brought princely patronage and prestige to Indian cricket. His leadership emphasized building infrastructure and offering financial support, sustaining the sport’s growth before independence, when cricket remained an elite game dominated by aristocratic figures.

4. Maharaja K. S. Digvijay Singh (1937-1938)

Known as the “Patiala Maharaja,” he supported India’s cricketing identity during a difficult period. Though brief, his reign helped maintain cricket’s royal connections, with princely rulers playing central roles in financing and promoting the game nationally.

5. P. Subbarayan (1938-1946)

A veteran politician, Subbarayan provided continuity during WWII years. His term was long and stable, ensuring Indian cricket survived difficult global times. He also promoted domestic tournaments, strengthening the foundation of cricket beyond elite patronage.

6. Anthony de Mello (1946-1951)

A co-founder of the BCCI, de Mello was crucial in post-independence cricket’s reorganization. He introduced the Ranji Trophy and worked to democratize cricket administration, though his style often drew criticism for being autocratic and divisive.

7. J. C. Mukherji (1951-1954)

Mukherji focused on balancing cricket’s politics and strengthening India’s Test calendar. His term marked India’s gradual acceptance in global cricket, though victories were rare. He ensured organizational stability during a time of administrative flux.

8. Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (1954-1956)

“Vizzy,” a controversial figure, was seen as more political than sporting. His reign symbolized the tensions between royalty and professionals in Indian cricket. Nonetheless, he remained influential in promoting the sport’s popularity nationally.

9. Sardar Surjit Singh Majithia (1956-1958)

Majithia oversaw modest progress, with Indian cricket still in its infancy internationally. His leadership leaned on institutionalizing cricket further across regions. His influence reflected India’s attempt to balance princely patronage with modern administration.

10. R. K. Patel (1958-1960)

Patel’s tenure was steady, if unspectacular. He focused on domestic structures and laid emphasis on transparency in selection and governance, attempting to curb factionalism that plagued Indian cricket through much of the 1950s.

11. M. A. Chidambaram (1960-1963)

A visionary, Chidambaram championed infrastructure. The Chepauk Stadium in Chennai was later named after him. He was instrumental in professionalising cricket management, ushering India into an era of structural and organisational development.

12. Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad (1963-1966)

A cricket-loving royal, Gaekwad combined regal charm with administrative skill. His era was about bridging tradition with modern demands of cricket. He later became one of India’s representatives at the ICC, strengthening India’s international voice.

13. Z. R. Irani (1966-1969)

Irani stabilized the board during political turmoil in the country. He is remembered for supporting domestic competitions and guiding Indian cricket through lean international performances. The Irani Trophy remains a legacy linked to his contributions.

14. A. N. Ghose (1969-1972)

Ghose’s presidency was about continuity, but Indian cricket was still waiting for global breakthroughs. His term saw India beginning to become more competitive abroad, setting the stage for the historic 1971 wins in West Indies and England.

15. P. M. Rungta (1972-1975)

Rungta’s reign coincided with India’s emergence as a competitive Test side. He worked on financial stability and scheduling, ensuring India capitalized on the boost from Ajit Wadekar’s historic 1971 triumphs overseas.

16. Ramprakash Mehra (1975-1977)

Mehra presided over India’s entry into the World Cup era (1975). While India underperformed, his tenure marked the shift towards limited-overs cricket, a format that would eventually revolutionize the sport in the country.

17. M. Chinnaswamy (1977-1980)

The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was his legacy. He expanded infrastructure and supported Karnataka cricket’s rise. His term coincided with India hosting more international matches, which grew the sport’s popularity in southern India.

18. S. K. Wankhede (1980-1982)

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is a testament to his impact. Wankhede ensured Mumbai’s dominance was matched with infrastructure development. His presidency boosted India’s visibility in world cricket, with the 1983 World Cup on the horizon.

19. N. K. P. Salve (1982-1985)

Salve was pivotal in bringing the 1987 World Cup to the subcontinent. His vision expanded India’s cricketing clout beyond playing, making it a global host. This was a transformative period for BCCI’s stature.

20. S. Sriraman (1985-1988)

Sriraman’s presidency oversaw the afterglow of India’s 1983 World Cup win. He promoted grassroots cricket and was known for his administrative calmness, helping Indian cricket stabilize after its biggest achievement.

21. B. N. Dutt (1988-1990)

Dutt’s short term focused on strengthening India’s financial base. Though not flamboyant, he consolidated the board’s growing power in world cricket administration, setting the stage for India’s future dominance.

22. Madhavrao Scindia (1990-1993)

The aristocratic politician modernized Indian cricket’s image. His era coincided with Sachin Tendulkar’s rise and the economic liberalization of India, which also began transforming cricket into a commercial powerhouse.

23. I. S. Bindra (1993-1996)

Bindra was revolutionary, commercializing Indian cricket. He secured major sponsorship deals, ushered in TV rights revenue, and professionalized the BCCI. His era marked the beginning of India’s journey toward becoming cricket’s financial superpower.

24. Raj Singh Dungarpur (1996-1999)

Known as a visionary, he backed Sourav Ganguly as captain and Rahul Dravid in the team. He played a crucial role in nurturing India’s golden generation. His leadership was both strategic and people-focused.

25. A. C. Muthiah (1999-2001)

Muthiah presided during a turbulent phase, with match-fixing scandals hitting Indian cricket. He pushed for disciplinary measures and sought to restore the game’s credibility, emphasizing transparency and strong administration.

26. Jagmohan Dalmiya (2001-2004)

Dalmiya elevated India to global dominance in cricket politics. He brought the 1996 World Cup to India earlier and as president expanded India’s clout in the ICC. His tenure was marked by aggressive financial expansion.

27. Ranbir Singh Mahendra (2004-2005)

Mahendra’s reign was short and transitional. Seen as Dalmiya’s ally, his presidency maintained continuity but lacked major reforms. Still, he ensured smooth governance at a time of factional politics.

28. Sharad Pawar (2005-2008)

A heavyweight politician, Pawar oversaw India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory under Dhoni. His era saw India’s rise in limited overs formats. He also strengthened India’s global voice in ICC affairs.

29. Shashank Manohar (2008-2011)

A lawyer by profession, Manohar brought transparency and legality to BCCI functioning. He worked on governance reforms, financial discipline, and tried to reduce internal politics. He later became ICC chairman.

30. N. Srinivasan (2011-2013, 2013-2014)

One of the most controversial presidents, Srinivasan expanded BCCI’s financial dominance but faced conflict-of-interest scandals due to Chennai Super Kings’ ownership. His era was marked by power struggles and court interventions.

31. Jagmohan Dalmiya (2013, interim; 2015)

Dalmiya returned briefly as interim and later as full-time president before his death. His second innings was about stabilizing BCCI amidst turmoil, though age and health limited his effectiveness.

32. Shivlal Yadav (2014, interim)

Served briefly as interim president during legal troubles for Srinivasan. Yadav’s reign was administrative firefighting, ensuring continuity while courts monitored BCCI’s functioning.

33. Sunil Gavaskar (2014, interim)

Appointed interim BCCI president by the Supreme Court to oversee IPL 7 after the spot-fixing scandal. Gavaskar’s cricketing stature helped restore credibility temporarily.

34. Shashank Manohar (2015-2016)

Returned for a brief stint, pushing reforms and attempting to clean up cricket administration. His focus on governance ultimately paved the way for Lodha reforms in BCCI.

35. Anurag Thakur (2016-2017)

A young politician, Thakur’s term ended controversially after he was removed by the Supreme Court for non-compliance with Lodha Committee reforms. His tenure showed resistance to change in BCCI.

36. C. K. Khanna (2017-2019, acting)

Acting president who mostly played caretaker while BCCI underwent restructuring. His time was transitional, marked by administrative stagnation, but kept operations running.

37. Sourav Ganguly (2019-2022)

The former India captain brought charisma and a players’ perspective. His presidency saw the COVID-19 pandemic, rescheduled IPLs, and India’s growing dominance in Tests abroad. Ganguly’s term balanced reforms with commercial expansion.

38. Roger Binny (2022-2025)

The 1983 World Cup hero emphasized player welfare and domestic cricket strengthening. Under his leadership, India prepared for the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. His presidency was smooth, avoiding major controversies.

39. Rajeev Shukla (Interim, Sep 2025)

Stepped in after Binny’s term ended, briefly holding the post. Known for his political and administrative clout, Shukla ensured a seamless transition while elections were organized.

40. Mithun Manhas (2025-present)

The newest president, former cricketer Manhas represents a modern, player-friendly administration. His election marks a fresh chapter, as BCCI looks to balance cricketing needs with its global financial dominance.