No central contract announcement for the India selectors yet

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has announced central contracts for India players but the national selectors have been left in the lurch. The national selection committee comprising MSK Prasad, Devang Gandhi, and Sarandeep Singh hasn’t received its renewed contracts with BCCI even five months after the completion of their one-year stint.

Reportedly, the contracts handed out by the BCCI are subject to renewal at the board’s annual general meeting (AGM). Since the board failed to call its AGM last year, there has been no progress in this matter.

“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,” the official said.

Gyanendra Pandey may be chief Jr. selector

With the resignation of Venkatesh Prasad from his post of the chairman of the junior selection committee, it is likely that his colleague Gyanendra Pandey will assume that role. It is also noted that a candidate from the south zone will fill the vacancy. According to sources, names of Hemang Badani and Subramanium Badrinath are the front-runners for the post. Prasad had called time on his role after he expressed his desire to return to the coaching profession. The Conflict of Interest issue would prevent him from doing both jobs, hence the resignation. He was then appointed the bowling coach of the Kings XI Punjab.