Implementation of Lodha reforms sees Gagan Khoda ousted as selector

The job of selector Gagan Khoda will be on the line following the BCCI’s implementation of the recommendations made by the Justice RM Lodha committee. Khoda was appointed to the post of selector along with former India wicketkeeper MSK Prasad in October 2015. The duo was expected to continue in their roles until the fall of 2019 and was also due to travel to Australia along with the India ‘A’ team.

However, the new recommendations may also go on to see the three-member selection committee of Sandeep Patil, Vikram Rathour, and Saba Karim end their stint as selectors of the Indian team after holding their positions for almost four years.

Prasad, however, is on a better footing when it comes to this criterion having played six Tests and 17 ODIs. “Only former Players who have represented the Senior National Team in Test matches shall be eligible to be appointed to this committee, provided that they have retired from the game at least five years previously. The senior-most Test cap among the members of the Committee shall be appointed as the Chairperson,” as per the Lodha Committee recommendations, which Khoda fails to satisfy having played only two One-Day Internationals in 1998-99 and not having played a single Test match.

Khoda however, had six months to get his affairs in order should he attempt to save the current role that he is serving in. “Since the constitution will change as per reforms suggested by the panel and verdict passed by the Apex Court, BCCI can take six months of time. So perhaps BCCI will try to keep the selectors in question (Khoda) until that time but eventually, they will need to follow the rule,” a source close to the panel was quoted as telling PTI on Wednesday.

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“If he (Khoda) wants to quit voluntarily, it is most welcome,” the source added.