Future India selectors will be interviewed by the elite panel

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to tinker the process which is followed to appoint the selection panel of the Indian cricket team.

The current process of five zonal associations nominating selectors will be replaced by the new process, where the aspiring candidates, seeking to apply for the job, will be interviewed by the elite panel constituted by the board before their appointment to the role.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur said the decision to tinker the current process has nothing to do with the Lodha panel recommendations. “Let me make it clear that this was our decision,” Thakur told Sportstar in an exclusive interview. “It has got nothing to do with the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations. Our review petition is pending with Supreme Court, but I insist that this move is not because of anyone but the board.”

Earlier, the Indian cricket coach Anil Kumble was selected by a similar process and the board believes that is the professional way in giving the responsibility. “We picked the National coach by inviting applications and conducting interviews. The process was transparent and I think the board did a professional job in giving the responsibility to Anil Kumble.”

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“It will ensure the best get picked and it will also allow every player a fair platform to stake his claims. If they feel they are good, they can approach the BCCI directly and impress the [elite] panel. I am sure it will give us the best of players for the selection committees in senior and junior sections.”

He also believes that the new process will make things more transparent and will provide an opportunity to interact with more former players. “This move will also allow us to interact with more [former] players than in the past. This was my idea to pick selectors through interviews conducted by an elite panel of greats,” he observed.

He said that that it is a continuous process to bring in reforms in the board, so as to find different ways to improve the quality of the game and reach out to the fans.

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“We are not trying to show anyone anything. Reform in the board is a continuing process. The board has brought in many reforms and I have always said that the most important stakeholder for me is the fan. It was my insistence to have seats numbered for the cricket fan and also give tickets free/or on concession to certain sections. The board is trying everything to reach out to the fans,” he added.

A former Test cricketer was pleased by the board’s initiative and said, “It is a very encouraging development for some of us who don’t make daily trips to the State association office and seek favours. Now only competent people will find a place on the selection panels.”