BCCI Seeks New Senior National Men's Selector, Debate Over Regional Representation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently opened the doors for a fresh face in the role of national selector for the senior men's team, for the future composition of the selection panel. The current committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is facing a shake-up, especially considering the absence of representation from the northern region.

As per the BCCI's constitutional norms, the selection panel should ideally feature one representative from each of the five geographical zones – north, south, east, west, and central. The chair of the panel is traditionally the member with the most extensive Test cricket experience. However, the current setup turns aside from this guideline, with two selectors from the west, including the chairman, and no representation from the north.

Ajit Agarkar assumed the position of chairman last July, filling the place left by Chetan Sharma from the north zone. With two selectors from the west, both associated with the Mumbai Cricket Association, questions arise about the board's commitment to regional diversity. The other members currently on the panel are Salil Ankola (west), SS Das (east), S Sharath (south), and Subroto Banerjee (central).

The BCCI's recent call for applications has sparked fire to the speculation, leaving fans and cricket enthusiasts eager to see which active selector might make way for a representative from the north. The board's advertisement, however, does not clarify which selector would be replaced, adding an element of suspense to the process.

Ajit Agarkar's appointment as chairman was reportedly an agreed decision by the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee, consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Sulakshana Naik, and Jatin Paranjape. The upcoming selection process will be crucial in determining the direction the panel takes, with applicants having until 6 pm IST on January 25 to submit their candidature.

To be eligible for the role, applicants must meet specific playing criteria, having participated in a minimum of seven Tests, 30 first-class games, or a combination of ten ODIs and 20 first-class matches. The BCCI will carefully screen the applications before shortlisting candidates for interviews, with no set date announced for this phase.

The current selection committee, under Agarkar's leadership, has already picked the India squad for the initial two Tests against England, set to commence on January 25. The squad for the three Tests is expected to be finalized after the conclusion of the second Test in Visakhapatnam on February 6. After the Test series, the team's focus will shift to the T20 World Cup, scheduled immediately after IPL 2024.

As the BCCI finds the process of selecting a new senior national men's selector, the cricket fans wait for the outcome, eager to witness the evolution of the selection panel and the potential inclusion of a representative from the north.