Former India players Reetinder Singh Sodhi and Ajay Ratra, both from North Zone, along with Shakti Singh, a former Himachal Pradesh pacer turned match referee, and Ajay Mehra, a former Punjab batter and current commentator, have been interviewed for the national selector’s position.
This vacancy will arise when former India fast bowler Salil Ankola steps down soon. There is also speculation surrounding junior national selector Krishan Mohan’s candidacy, although this has not been independently confirmed.
Ratra currently serves as a fielding coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), while Sodhi and Shakti are BCCI match referees. Ankola, who may transition to the junior selection setup, will need to relinquish his current role as the senior selection panel already includes two members from the West Zone, specifically Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Ajay Mehra has covered BCCI Domestic Cricket for the last 18 years. He has also covered almost 500 International games, IPL, International leagues, and International bilateral series for various broadcasters like Star, Doordarshan, Sony etc.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is also from Mumbai, will lead the panel
Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors from Mumbai, will lead the panel, necessitating Ankola’s relocation due to BCCI regulations. Reports suggest that due to Ankola’s displacement, the BCCI leadership intends to appoint him as chairman of the junior selection committee, despite his lack of fault in the matter.
The junior committee, chaired by former Karnataka wicket-keeper Thilak Naidu, currently lacks an international player. Ankola, who played one Test and 20 ODIs from 1989 to 1997, may be considered more suitable for this role.
“There is former India off-spinner Nikhil Chopra from Delhi, who is believed to have strong backing from DDCA. The other candidate is Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi skipper, who also has the backing of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.”
“But, it is learnt, that a very influential former office-bearer wanted ex-Punjab skipper Krishan Mohan to apply and he did accordingly. Now, whether he will get the job or not is another matter, but he was asked to apply,” a senior BCCI source tracking the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Versatile player Mohan participated in 45 First-class matches for Punjab from 1987 to 1993 and was involved in the Ranji Trophy-winning Punjab team together with Navjot Singh Sidhu, Vikram Rathour, and Gursharan Singh.
If Mohan is appointed, he could serve for up to two years, as per the BCCI constitution, which permits a total tenure of five years for individuals who have served on both the junior and senior selection committees.
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