BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke has faith in newly-formed selection committee although it lacks big Test experience and also said he was impressed by inputs given by the candidates
MSK Prasad during the 1999-2000 tour of Australia
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The newly appointed senior selection committee by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yesterday, with former India wicket-keeper MSK Prasad as its chairman, raised many eyebrows. What is astonishing to notice is that the entire selection committee has a cumulative experience of playing just 13 Tests and 31 ODI matches for India.
Prasad represented the country in six Tests and 17 ODIs. Devang Gandhi (four Tests, three ODIs), Sarandeep Singh (three Tests and five ODIs), Jatin Paranjape (4 ODI) and Gagan Khoda (two ODIs) were the other selectors appointed during BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Wankhede Stadium's Cricket Centre.
BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke
For the first time selectors have been chosen on the basis of interviews conducted over the last couple of days. Compare this committee to the previous Sandeep Patil-led one and one can notice a stark difference in terms of experience. BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke, who was re-elected for the post, defended the appointment. "The selection panel's performance will ultimately be the proof of the team's performance," Shirke said after the AGM.
Shedding light on the interview process, Shirke said he was impressed by inputs given by the candidates. BCCI received more than 90 applications for the coveted position. "We got a lot of applicants. We also got a first-hand insight into what their ideas are, what they wish to do and their visions. The number of applicants were far more than the number of selectors we could appoint," Shirke added.
Also Read: Why Shishir Hattangadi is not surprised at non-selection
Meanwhile, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, who played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs, was appointed as chairman of the junior selection committee. "The BCCI has decided to call for an emergent Special General Meeting on September 30 to consider the amendments to the rules and regulations of BCCI as recommended by Hon'ble Justice Lodha Committee," the Board said in a statement released.
Hemlata Kala was named chairperson of the women's selection committee which also comprises Shashi Gupta, Anjali Pendharkar, Lopamudra Banerjee and Sudha Shah.
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