Due to the absence of Chetan Sharma, the role of Chief Selector is now vacant, and BCCI have recently opened a vacancy for the same. Last week BCCI released an official release explaining the hiring process, with June 30 being the last date to apply for the role. According to PTI, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will take interviews on July 1.
The chief selector post has been vacant since Chetan stepped down following a sting, BCCI posted an advertisement last week, and they finally want someone after 2 T20I World Cup and 2 WTC Final collapse to challenge the team management calls. Ajit has even left the Delhi Capitals management to which Delhi Capitals wrote “You’ll always have a place to call home here. Thank You, Ajit and Watto, for your contributions. All the very best for your future endeavors.” on their Twitter account
Some reports suggest that Ajit Agarkar is leading the race among others for the post. “The CAC has a mandate to pick a selector who can stand up to the high profile team management in case there are differences” a BCCI official told PTI. Agarkar was linked to the Chief Selector’s post in the past as well but this time he might get the job done and get the role of Chief Selector. Ajit represented India in 26 Test, 191 ODI’s and 4 T20I’s and has 349 scalps under his belt in International cricket 29 wickets in IPL as well, he played a crucial role in the early 2000’s.
Agarkar was even part of the 2007 T20I World Cup winning squad, although he only played 3 matches including the washout match against Scotland. and was dropped from the squad after a defeat against the Kiwis in Super 8 stage.
If Ajit is appointed, then there will be 2 selectors from West Zone with Salil Ankola being the second selector. As compared to Shiv Sundar Das, Ajit has played more Test matches, thus, he will be automatically overhead to the role.
Current BCCI Selection Committee:
- Shiv Sundar Das: Test: 23, ODI: 4
- Subroto Banerjee: Test: 1, ODO: 6
- Salil Ankola: Test: 1, ODI: 20
- Sridharan Sharath: FC: 139, List A: 116