Former Indian cricketer Chetan Sharma was appointed as the next Chairman of Selectors in the BCCI AGM meeting in Ahmedabad on December 24, Thursday. The Cricket Advisory Committee panel led by Madan Lal, RP Singh and MS Sulakshana Naik appointed Sharma for the post. He will be accompanied by Abey Kuruvilla and Debashish Mohanty in the selection panel for the senior team. Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer has reacted upon being selected for the post.
Talking to PTI, Chetan Sharma said that he takes this opportunity as a privilege and his actions will speak louder than words during his tenure.
“It’s indeed a privilege for me to get an opportunity to serve Indian cricket once again. I am a man of few words and my action will speak louder than words,” Sharma, who has a five-wicket haul at Lord’s in a Test match, told PTI.
Former Indian medium-pacer Abey Kuruvilla, who was backed by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials, was preferred over a more decorated Ajit Agarkar from the west zone. Meanwhile, Debashish Mohanty who was serving as junior national selector for the last two years will hold onto his post at the senior level for a couple more years. The selection panel also comprises former India players Sunil Joshi (south zone) and Harvinder Singh (central zone).
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Chetan Sharma Was Appointed Based On His Seniority: Jay Shah
“The committee further recommended Chetan Sharma for the role of chairman of the senior men’s selection committee based on seniority (total number of Test matches),” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a press release.
“The CAC will review the candidates after a one-year period and make the recommendations to the BCCI,” Shah added.
Meanwhile, as per BCCI norms, the candidate with the most Test caps becomes the chief selector.
Sharma represented India in 23 Tests and 65 ODIs during an 11-year-old international career, the highlight of which was his hat-trick in the 1987 World Cup.
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Meanwhile, a BCCI official said that Ajit Agarkar was never in favour of being selected for the post despite his experience as an Indian international cricketer.
“Agarkar never had the support of the Mumbai Cricket Association. There were allegations that he didn’t watch matches as Mumbai chief selector. The MCA was adamant that Abey is their man,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.
