Maninder Singh, Nayan Mongia re-apply for national selection panel
BCCI had announced Monday as the deadline for applications. Former players with lucrative TV and coaching jobs have stayed away
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), looking to finalise a new national selection committee, will have a long list of applicants to choose from. The question on everyone’s lips is whether they would be able to form a five-member panel that’s more qualified than the one it would replace while being in tune with the rapidly changing white-ball cricket.
The deadline to apply was Monday evening. It is learnt that former India players Nayan Mongia, Maninder Singh, Rajesh Chauhan and Shiv Sunder Das--all failed to make the cut the last time--have reapplied.
After India were outclassed in the T20 World Cup semi-final by eventual winners England, BCCI decided not to renew the contract of the four selectors, including chairman Chetan Sharma who had taken over only two years back. Sharma, Sunil Joshi, Harvinder Singh and Debashish Mohanty are continuing until the new selectors take over. One post was vacant since West Zone's Abey Kuruvilla took over as board GM.
The candidates must be below 60 years, must have retired at least five years back and played at least 7 Tests, 30 first-class matches or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches.
With more lucrative media and coaching opportunities available round the year, many prominent names have not applied. Former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, but for holding an IPL job with Delhi Capitals, could fit the bill. It could not be ascertained if he has applied. Former Test batter Hemang Badani, who also has IPL coaching experience, is said to have applied.
Other applicants include former Test players Ajay Ratra, Sameer Dighe, Salil Ankola, Nikhil Chopra as well as many with ODI and domestic experience, former Tamil Nadu all-rounder and coach Divakar Vasu one of them. Tamil Nadu finished runners-up in the Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournaments in 2019-20 under Vasu.
BCCI’s zonal policy means one selector each will be chosen from the five zones with the most capped Test cricketer made chief selector.