The BCCI has been looking for their new chief selector since Chetan Sharma resigned from the post in February this year following his controversial, sensational sting operation wherein he had revealed classified selection, BCCI and players’ personal matters.
Chetan Sharma had been reappointed as the Chief Selector in January, but soon after tendered his resignation amid controversial circumstances. Since then, the selection committee has been working without a chief selector and the four-member committee has been picking India’s squads, the latest of which is for the West Indies tour in July.
Now, as India approaches the Asia Cup and prepares for the World Cup 2023, it is imperative that the BCCI soon get a new chief selector.
Here are 3 former India players who could become the new chief selector:
Ajit Agarkar
According to sources, Ajit Agarkar is the frontrunner to take up the vacant post of Indian chief selector for the men’s cricket team. However, it is not to forget that Agarkar’s name had been thrown up in the past as well for the chief selector’s position, but someone else came in.
Agarkar is currently part of the Delhi Capitals coaching staff, but could be relieved by the franchise following their failure of reaching the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. Agarkar was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad – since then India have not won the T20 WC. So he brings some experience of playing and winning in the shortest format, making that an added bonus.
Agarkar has significant international experience of 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and 4 T20Is along with 42 IPL matches, and is a respected figure in the cricket fraternity.
Ravi Shastri
The BCCI perhaps couldn’t get a better candidate for the Chief Selector’s position than Ravi Shastri. He’s the best package they could hope for: a successful former cricketer and former head coach; has a good repertoire with the current batch of players; understands the demands and pressure on the players and so he could give a long rope to the youngsters; has seen the transition in Indian team first hand and up close over the past decade, and someone who’s not afraid to take bold calls.
However, the one key problem here is that the money for the Chief Selector’s role – INR 1 crore – would be too less for someone of the stature of Ravi Shastri, who could make this much amount easily with 3-4 events and enjoy his life pressure-free as a commentator. The BCCI will certainly have to multiply their salary amount multi-folds if they want to even appeal to Shastri.
Virender Sehwag
There have also been reports of the BCCI approaching Virender Sehwag for the role of the Chief Selector. Part of the 2007 T20 WC winning team and the 2011 WC winning team, Sehwag has immense experience of modern day cricket and has been part of the IPL as a coach for some years after his retirement.
Sehwag commands great aura for his bold calls and aggressive statements, and speaks a spare as a spade without the fear of anyone. Sehwag would be a good fit for the chief selector’s post. However, the issue here is the same as it is with Shastri: the INR 1 crore per annum salary seems too less for someone like Sehwag.
