The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has encountered a setback in its search for a new senior men’s selector, with two former cricketers who each played nearly 100 Tests declining approaches to join the selection committee, according to a report by The Times of India.
The development comes as the board attempts to fill the West Zone vacancy created by Ajit Agarkar’s decision not to seek an extension as Chairman of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee. With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, the BCCI must also determine whether to appoint a new Chairman or retain its existing interim leadership arrangement.
Applications for the vacant position closed on October 14, leaving the board to assess its options for both the fifth selector and the committee’s leadership.
BCCI raises selection budget as recruitment proves difficult
The board’s efforts to attract experienced former internationals have been accompanied by greater flexibility over remuneration.
The BCCI reportedly prefers prominent former players with substantial international experience for senior selection positions and has shown a willingness to negotiate compensation.
Following the appointments of RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha in September 2025, the BCCI’s annual spending on selection committees exceeded its budget by ₹3 crore (approx. US$316K), reaching ₹17.45 crore (approx. US$1.84M).
For the 2026–27 financial year, the board has allocated ₹19.35 crore (approx. US$2M) to its selection committees, a further increase of nearly ₹2 crore (approx. US$211K).
That represents an overall increase of approximately ₹5 crore (approx. US$526K) compared with the earlier budget.
The figures relate to the BCCI’s selection committees collectively, rather than the individual salaries of members of the senior men’s panel.
According to The Times of India, the board’s willingness to offer more attractive compensation has not been enough to persuade the two unnamed former Test cricketers to accept its approaches.
Parthiv Patel opts out as Ramesh Powar enters the picture
Another complication for the BCCI is the absence of former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel from the list of applicants.
Patel had been widely tipped as a possible successor to Agarkar but did not apply for the West Zone position before the deadline.
Ramesh Powar, meanwhile, could become a contender for the senior selection committee, according to a PTI report. The former India off-spinner had previously been expected to take charge of the Junior Men’s Selection Committee, although his appointment to the senior panel remains only a possibility.
The current senior men’s selection committee consists of Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and SS Das.
Ojha has reportedly been acting as Interim Chairman since Agarkar’s departure, with the BCCI potentially retaining that arrangement rather than immediately appointing a permanent replacement.
VVS Laxman’s influence shapes selection leadership debate
The uncertainty surrounding the committee’s leadership comes amid indications that VVS Laxman could assume a more influential role in selection matters.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters in the first week of October: “VVS Laxman will henceforth attend all senior selection committee meetings to ensure there is no miscommunication between selectors and the COE.”
Laxman heads the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and his participation in selection meetings is intended to strengthen coordination between the selectors and the board’s player development setup.
His involvement has become particularly relevant as the BCCI considers whether introducing a new Chairman so close to the 2027 ODI World Cup would disrupt the existing selection approach.
“BCCI would have preferred continuity with Agarkar staying on till the World Cup, but things didn’t go as expected,” a BCCI source told The Times of India.
“If a new chairman of selection committee comes in, there’s a chance his vision could be different from the ones working now. So, the board will have to gauge the vision of the new selector. With Laxman’s growing influence, the board may let things remain the way they are at present,” the BCCI source added.
The board could therefore fill the West Zone vacancy while retaining Ojha as Interim Chairman, or appoint a new member who would also assume leadership of the committee.
SS Das’s future also under consideration
The BCCI faces a separate question over the tenure of SS Das, who will complete four years as a selector in December 2026.
His approaching tenure milestone has prompted consideration of whether he should continue beyond December, particularly given the importance of maintaining stability before the ODI World Cup.
The board could allow Das to remain on the panel until the tournament, providing continuity within the existing selection group.
Eligibility criteria for BCCI’s vacant selector position
Candidates for the senior men’s selection committee must satisfy the BCCI’s minimum playing-experience requirements.
Applicants must have played at least seven Tests, 30 first-class matches, or a combination of 10 One-Day Internationals and 20 first-class matches.
They must also have retired from cricket at least five years before submitting their applications.
Additionally, individuals who have served for a cumulative five years on any cricket committee covered by the BCCI’s Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations are ineligible.
Responsibilities of the senior men’s selector
The position involves assessing players across domestic and international cricket, travelling to matches and participating in team meetings.
Selectors must also submit quarterly performance evaluation reports to the BCCI Apex Council and communicate team-selection decisions to the media.
The committee is responsible for appointing India’s captains across the different formats.
With the application process closed, the BCCI’s next appointment will help shape the composition and leadership of India’s selection committee as preparations intensify for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
