Former CM’s son again brings glory to Himachal
Munish Sood
MANDI:
In a development that blends cricketing achievement with the politics of Himachal Pradesh, Arun Dhumal, son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and brother of former Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council for the fourth consecutive term.
The announcement came at the conclusion of the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.
For Himachal Pradesh, this reappointment is being seen as a moment of pride. Dhumal is credited with shaping the Women’s Premier League (WPL) during his first tenure and positioning IPL as the most profitable and recognised T20 tournament in the world. His leadership also played a pivotal role in bringing IPL matches back to Dharamshala in 2023 after a decade-long gap, when Punjab Kings declared the HPCA Stadium their second home ground.
Cricket and politics intertwined
Arun Dhumal’s rise in Indian cricket administration also highlights the strong political-cricketing nexus in Himachal Pradesh. The Dhumal-Thakur family has wielded influence both in the corridors of power and in the cricketing arena.
While Prem Kumar Dhumal remains a towering political figure in the state’s BJP landscape, Anurag Thakur has made a national mark not just as a Union Minister but also as a former BCCI president. Arun’s continued leadership in IPL strengthens the family’s stature across both fields.
Dharamshala awaits more matches
With Dhumal retaining the reins, expectations are high that Dharamshala will see an increase in the number of IPL fixtures. Over the past three seasons, the picturesque HPCA Stadium has hosted two to three matches annually, delighting cricket fans and boosting local tourism.
HPCA Secretary Avnish Parmar, who personally congratulated Dhumal in Mumbai, expressed optimism that the stadium will host bigger international and league events in the near future.
Adding to the buzz, HPCA is also gearing up for organizational changes. The association’s current executive body has completed its term, and a new executive committee is expected to be formed ahead of the India-South Africa T20 scheduled at Dharamshala on December 14.
Speaking after the AGM, Dhumal underlined the BCCI’s ambition to make IPL the number one sporting league globally.
“In the last 18 years, we have faced many challenges, whether it was COVID, Operation Sindoor, or weather conditions that forced us to move a few matches. Thanks to our fantastic team, we’ve overcome all those difficulties. Going forward, we’re going to make it the number one sports league in the world,” Dhumal said.
He congratulated newly elected BCCI President Mithun Manhas and other committee members, while also extending best wishes to the Indian women’s team ahead of their World Cup campaign.
For Himachal Pradesh, Arun Dhumal’s re-election cements its place on the national cricket map. More than just a personal achievement, it reflects how the state’s leaders continue to wield influence in shaping Indian cricket’s future while also leveraging it for the region’s sporting and political aspirations.
