National selectors to be picked via individual interviews by the BCCI

In a decision that could be different to any taken in recent times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) have decided to pick the new selectors for the national team, via individual interviews and not the method of rotation among the five centres.

“This move will 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.

It will ensure that 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,” the BCCI president Anurag Thakur told the Hindu.

When asked if this decision was taken based on recommendations from the Lodha panel, Thakur said that wasn’t the case and they wanted a transparent method, just like was the case while picking the head coach.

“Let me make it clear that this was our decision.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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Thakur further clarified that this decision was not taken to prove anything to anyone and the board is doing everything it can to reach out to the fans.

“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 concluded.