The national selector role has been advertised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), raising the possibility of a member being removed from the current five-person committee. Candidates must meet certain standards, including having participated in 30 first-class games or seven Tests, and apply by January 25.
Salil Ankola, the second Mumbai candidate and spokesperson for the West Zone, seems to be the most likely of the five selectors to be eliminated. This website has already discussed the likelihood of Ankola’s replacement, particularly because Ajit Agarkar, the head selector, is also from Mumbai, and that the panel’s unofficial condition of having a national vision is present. Ankola’s replacement is expected to be a former North Zone cricket player, who is not currently represented on the selection committee.
It has been clear for some time that the selection committee has to be changed, especially after Agarkar took over in July of last year. Following Chetan Sharma’s resignation in February 2023 over a sting operation, Agarkar, a former all-rounder for India, assumed the role of chief selector. The North Zone has not had representation since then.
Although the requirement that the selectors come from separate zones is not stipulated in the BCCI constitution, the board has always adhered to this rule for practical reasons. It is regarded as unprecedented in the history of the BCCI and selection committee to have two national selectors from the same association and city.
There was originally a proposal, according to insiders, to replace many selectors. However, a significant redesign was deemed impracticable due to the Indian team’s remarkable World Cup performance and a passably good showing in the recent South Africa series. However, the North Zone groups’ pressure has made Ankola’s change inevitable. It is anticipated that the new selector will be named within the first week of February.
An aspirant can still apply if he has played in 10 One Day International (ODI) matches and 20 First-Class games but not seven Tests or thirty First-Class games. The candidate must been out of the game for a minimum of five years. The application must be submitted by January 25th.