The BCCI has received lots of applications for the Indian national men’s team’s selection panel as the deadline for applications closed on Monday (November 28).
Amongst these applicants are former India cricketers like Nayan Mongia, Ajay Ratra, Maninder Singh, and Shiv Sunder Das.
The BCCI is also looking to appoint a Cricket Advisory Committee to conduct interviews before announcing their decision. The first assignment for the new selection panel will be to pick the Indian team for the limited-overs series at home against Sri Lanka in 2023.
Until the new selection panel is picked, the current one led by Chetan Sharma will continue its work as its members are currently following the knockout stages of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy. The current selection committee includes three members who can reapply for their jobs.
Shiv Sunder Das is seen as one of the strongest candidates to be picked as he is currently the batting coach of the Punjab state team and was one of the coaches at the National Cricket Academy and had stints with the Indian women's team as a batting coach.
Another strong candidate is former India and Tamil Nadu batter Hemang Badani, though he has neither confirmed nor denied his application. He currently works with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and has had a successful track record in the TNPL as head coach of Chepauk Super Gillies, who have won three titles back-to-back (the 2022 title was shared).
Nayan Mongia with 44 Tests and 140 ODIs is the most experienced candidate in the fray and has had stints as a selector - at both the junior and senior levels - at Baroda. Mumbai's Sameer Dighe and Salil Ankola, along with UP's Gyanendra Pandey have also expressed interest in the job.
Interestingly, Ajit Agarkar who was among the few high-profile candidates from last time hasn't applied this time.
(ESPNCricinfo report)
