BCCI selection committee set for massive overhaul, host of ex-cricketers in candidate shortlist

Mohinder Amarnath could make a return as West Zone selector

The BCCI selection hierarchy could see yet another major revamp, during next week’s Annual General meeting. According to sources close to Sportskeeda, at least four out of the five selectors are to be replaced, after a performance analysis by BCCI chief Shashank Manohar.

A senior BCCI official said, “It will be unfair on my part to disclose all information right now. But, we have come to a common consensus that the selections from various zones have not been upto the mark. You might see some changes, after we finalise our decision during the AGM.”

The BCCI has shortlisted a few candidates across the five regions. In the east, they are looking at Devang Gandhi and Deep Dasgupta, Venkatesh Prasqad and WV Raman (South), Gyanendra Pandey and Pritam Gandhe (Central).

South zone selector Roger Binny is first on the firing line, after Rajinder Singh Hans from the central region. However, the source close to Sportskeeda added that the committee is particularly disappointed with streamlining of talent from the East zone.

Current East Zone selector, Saba Karim was appointed in 2012, after a complete selection committee re-shuffle. North Zone selector Vikram Rathour seems like the only candidate, who will be reappointed for a new term.

Despite Binny’s affiliation to Indian cricket as an ex-player, he also might be one of the first to go. The fact that his son Stuart Binny is an integral part of the national setup, could go against his case. According to the source, two of the selectors would have been replaced, if the AGM wasn’t delayed by a year.

West zone selector Sandeep Patil’s future also seems uncertain as Shashank Manohar is keen to reinstate Mohinder Amarnath from the region. Amarnath was touted to become Chief selector in 2010, however, differences with office-bearers over MS Dhoni’s captaincy caused a fall-out. He was removed the very next year.

Amarnath would be an obvious successor to Rathour in the North zone, but the latter’s affiliation with BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, could save him his job. In that case, Amarnath would be replacing Patil.