‘Phir se Bombay lobby’- Fans react as Ajit Agarkar likely to become chief selector for Team India

Former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar has emerged as a frontrunner for the position of Team India’s chief selector before the World Cup 2023. The seat has been vacant since Chetan Sharma resigned following a contentious sting operation. 30th of June is the last day for the Indian Cricket Board to receive applications for the final member of the selection panel.

The former Indian medium pacer previously applied for the job in 2020 but was not selected. During his international career, he played 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and 4 T201 matches for India as a right-arm bowler. According to an unidentified source from Indian Cricket Board, Sehwag was contacted for the post of India head coach while the Committee of Administrators (COA) was in control of the Indian Cricket Board.

It is unlikely he will apply himself: Indian Cricket Board

However, at the moment, the role went to Anil Kumble. The source further stated that Sehwag declined the position of chief selector because of the reduced remuneration package. The source added, “During COA’s time, Viru (Sehwag) was asked to apply for head coach’s job and then it went to Anil Kumble. It is unlikely he will apply himself and also the pay package isn’t something that will be financially viable for someone of his stature.”

The source stated, “It is not that BCCI can’t pay a chairman of selectors at least 4-5 crore. It can actually solve a lot of these conflict of interest issues which prevent prominent players from even thinking of coming into selection committee. The selection panel is currently being headed in the interim by former India opener Shiv Sunder Das in the interim ever since Chetan Sharma’s departure.”

Agarkar is now a member of the coaching staff of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as a commentator; in this case, the Indian Cricket Board can enhance his compensation to make him the chief selector. Previously, the chief selector’s compensation was 1 crore INR and the selectors’ salaries were 90 lakhs INR per year, however, the head selector’s income can now be increased from 2 crores INR to 2.5 crores INR.

Here’s how fans reacted 

I think retired players need to wait for 5 years to apply.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 27, 2023

If this turns out to be true then another news from KSR will be proven false.

He said that BCCI wants to hire a 2011 World Cup star as chief selector.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) June 27, 2023

Finally some good news… Modern players are needed for the modern era.. not those who are retired before 2000..

— mark rufus (@markrufus007) June 27, 2023

He was with Delhi Capitals from last two years. Not sure if he is still contracted to them

— Faaltu Opinion (@Sleeping_pannda) June 27, 2023

he has more ICC trophies than choklii😅🤣😆😆😂

— Sumanth Yeligar (@YeligarSumanth) June 27, 2023

Chief selector will be appointed before world Cup or after that?

— harsh हर्ष (@mrHJ27) June 27, 2023

Another Mumbaiker means more players from Mumbai will be selected in future.

— Praveen Atri (@PraveenAtri4) June 27, 2023

@Pratikpalan8 him as a selector and Nehra as coach 👀🥹

— Viraj Chitroda (@viraj_chitroda) June 27, 2023