Did BCCI break a long-standing rule to appoint Ajit Agarkar as India’s chief selector?
The appointment of Ajit Agarkar as the head of the BCCI senior men’s selection committee is viewed as a positive development for Indian cricket. First off, it has put an end to the four-month wait for a chief selector after Chetan Sharma was forced to resign in February of this year as a result of a TV news channel sting operation.
The chief selector acting in an interim capacity was SS Das. Agarkar is also without a doubt the most well-known candidate on the selection committee in almost a decade. Along with 26 Test matches, 4 T20 Internationals, and 191 ODIs, the 2007 T20 World Cup champion has played for India. He is the fastest Indian to reach 50 ODI wickets and holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian in ODI play.
What makes Agarkar a top choice for the role?
Agarkar’s appointment is a historic step for a number of reasons in addition to these. Agarkar, who is from the West Zone, will preside over a panel that also comprises Salil Ankola (West Zone), SS Das (East Zone), Subroto Banerjee (Central Zone), and S Sharath (South Zone). Two selectors will come from the West Zone and none from the North, according to this. Since Ankola from the West Zone was already there, it would have been ideal if a former North Zone cricket player had taken Chetan Sharma’s position.
However, as no other well-known individuals from the North Zone applied for the selector’s position, the BCCI was forced to abandon the custom of choosing five selectors from each of the five zones.
Did BCCI break an age-old rule in appointing Ajit Agarkar as India’s chief selector?
The Indian Cricket Board, however, did not violate any laws. Yes, the board has adhered to tradition for all of these years, but there is no such rule about the nomination of selectors on a zonal basis in its constitution, which was created in accordance with the recommendations of the RM Lodha-committee.
A specific zone was not mentioned by BCCI in its announcement on June 22 asking applications for the chairman of selector’s post. According to the job announcement, the applicant should have played at least seven Test matches, thirty first-class matches, or ten ODIs and twenty first-class matches. Additionally, he ought to have left the sport at least five years ago.
For all these years, the BCCI consistently used the zonal appointment of selectors. Since it permitted equal representation of the member associations from five separate zones, this was never questioned. Having stated that, this is not to be mistaken for a guideline or a law.
The selection committee meeting for India’s T20I squad for the West Indies tour will be presided over by Agarkar as his maiden task. The teams for the Test and ODI matches were chosen beforehand. The gathering is scheduled for later this week. In the West Indies, India will play two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
Also read: West Indies vs India 2023: Most Runs scorers and Highest Wicket takers
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