Selectors left in lurch for their BCCI contracts

The national selectors haven’t yet received their renewed contracts from BCCI but the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrations has already given renewed contracts to the Indian players. Five months have gone by and selectors like MSK Prasad, Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh have not received their BCCI contracts despite the completion of their one-year stint.

Since BCCI failed to call their annual general meeting (AGM) last year, there is no progress about the contract extension of the selectors.

“Even the players’ contracts were supposed to be passed by the general body. If the players’ needs are important and the rules were bent for them, then why not for the people who select them? It’s unfair that the selectors are kept waiting,” a BCCI official told TOI.

“There are more pressing issues regarding the selection panel. The board is still paying Jatin Paranjpe and Gagan Khoda even after their services were not required, since Lodha recommendations trimmed the panel from five to three. There is a common belief that there is a need for five selectors. Even chairman of selectors Prasad had asked for a raise. These things need to be addressed.”

Now, it looks like Venkatesh Prasad’s resignation will put his colleague Gyanendra Pandey to step up and take that post. It is also noted that a candidate from south zone will fill the vacancy. Hemang Badani and Subramanium Badrinath are the names most likely to fill the post.