Ex-India cricketer, Ajit Agarkar, is set to assume the role of chairman at the BCCI’s Senior Selection Committee. The retired all-rounder looks set to take the position and is one of very few popular names on the shortlist. Ajit Agarkar’s seeming assumption of this role means he will replace Chetan Sharma, who resigned in February.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also revealed a salary bump to the chief selector and other members of the Senior Selection Committee. BCCI officials revealed that many high-profile, qualified candidates refused the role because of its seemingly-low annual salary. The upward salary review may be a reason why Ajit Agarkar handed in his application.
Who is Ajit Agarkar?
Ajit Agarkar is a 45-year-old former professional cricketer for India. He played for India in four T20s, 26 Tests, and 191 ODIs throughout his career.
Ajit Agarkar was a part of the cricket team that won the T20 World Cup with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as captain. He was also a former captain of the Mumbai team and represented India across formats throughout his career.
Where Was Ajit Agarkar Before His Chief Selector Application?
Ajit Agarkar was the assistant coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Delhi Capitals. He was with the DC team up until the end of IPL 2023 and looked set for another season as a master tactician with the team. However, his favorable application to become BCCI Chief Selector ended his stint with DC, one of the IPL’s top sides.
He handed in his resignation on Thursday to fully focus on the available chief selector role at the BCCI Senior Selection Committee.
Are There Any Perks Attached to the Current BCCI Chief Selector Post?
The BCCI recently announced an upward review of the salary package for members of the selection committee. This new package brings more perks to the challenging role, guaranteeing officials in the committee more money for their work.
Several news reports also suggest that the BCCI has promised to effect a special upward review of the chief selector’s annual salary. The current salary earned by the past chairman was 1 crore per year. If the deal pulls through and Agarkar gets his pay rise, he will become one of the BCCI’s highest-paid executives.
What are the Requirements to Apply for BCCI Chief Selector Job?
Anyone that satisfies the following requirements can formally apply to become the BCCI Chief Selector:
- Candidates must have played minimum seven (7) Test matches, or thirty (30) First Class matches, or ten (10) ODIs and twenty (20) First Class matches,
- Candidate must have retired from professional cricket for at least five (5) years before the application date,
- No member(s) of a Cricket Committee duly defined in the Memorandum of Association & Rules and Regulations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India within a five-year period prior to the application is eligible for selection (no one in the BCCI Cricket Committee stated in the rules can be a member until after five years in the last position)
Anyone who can satisfy these requirements can submit applications to become the BCCI’s Chief Selector.
Who are the Current Members of BCCI’s Senior Selection Committee?
The current members of the BCCI’s Senior Selection Committee are Salil Ankola, Subroto Banerjee, Shiv Sundar Das, and Sridharan Sharath. Shiv Sundar Das has been the interim chief selector since former pace bowler, Chetan Sharma’s resignation in February.
Why Did Chetan Sharma Resign as BCCI Chief Selector?
Resulting controversy over comments alleged to have come from Chetan Sharma was a trigger for his early resignation in February. A recent sting operation by a media house alleged that the retired fast bowler (Sharma) made several unremarkable comments about Team India and specific players.
After the operation, the company presented unverified information that Sharma allegedly said Indian players take intravenous medication to maintain fitness. More information from this sting operation also alleged that Sharma claimed that one of India’s top players was a regular visitor at his home.
Further revelations from this source alleged that Hardik Pandya was the player Sharma was allegedly referring to in an audio comment.
Sharma took over the role as BCCI Chief Selector following India’s shock exit from the T20 World Cup in November. The BCCI effected a total revamp of their selection committee after that embarrassing exit, appointing Sharma in January 2023. Only his abrupt and controversial exit a month later can match his surprise re-appointment as chief selector.
