State associations miffed with BCCI's mechanism for choosing selectors

In what appeared to be a welcome first, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week invited applications for the post of national selectors for senior, junior and women’s committees. However, the manner in which the BCCI office-bearers have hurriedly put the mechanism in place has put off various BCCI member representatives.

Venkatesh Prasad is among those who have applied for the selector's job.

In what appeared to be a welcome first, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week invited applications for the post of national selectors for senior, junior and women’s committees. However, the manner in which the BCCI office-bearers have hurriedly put the mechanism in place has put off various BCCI member representatives.

Considering the sensitivity of the issue and the hanging sword of the Supreme Court-ordered administrative reforms, none of the state association representatives were willing to come on record but made their disappointment clear.

“None of the state association members were notified before the announcement was made. That’s not being transparent,” a secretary of a state association told Sportstar , requesting anonymity.

A president of another association even pointed out that the move, despite its “good purpose” could be unconstitutional. “There is still little clarity over whether the BCCI can actually appoint a new selection panel in the AGM on September 21. Moreover, the manner in which it is implemented could put the BCCI in even more legal trouble. The BCCI office-bearers aren’t following the BCCI rulebook,” he said.

The official was referring to the clause in the BCCI’s memorandum and rules and regulations, which specifies: “Norms for appointment of selectors shall be as decided by the Working Committee from time to time.”

Multiple members who attended the last BCCI working committee in New Delhi on August 22 confirmed that “no such proposal was even tabled, let alone discussed” during the meeting.

While confirming the move of seeking applications for the selector’s posts, BCCI president Anurag Thakur had told Sportstar last week: “This was my idea to pick selectors through interviews conducted by an elite panel of greats. It will ensure the best get picked and it will also give every player a fair platform to stake his claims.”

Prasad applies for selector’s post

Venkatesh Prasad, the incumbent chairman of the junior selection panel, is understood to have applied for the selector’s post ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. Prasad, the former India new-ball bowler, in April had written to Thakur, then BCCI secretary, to consider him for a coaching role. With the BCCI unlikely to consider him for a coaching role, Prasad has decide to apply for the national selector’s post.