Ajit Agarkar Front-runner To Replace MSK Prasad As Chairman Of Selectors: Report

The race to become India’s national selector has just heated up with former allrounder Ajit Agarkar also throwing his hat into the ring. The former India international is now reportedly a front-runner for the chairman’s post. Ajit Agarkar, on Friday, confirmed that he has applied for the national selector’s position.

It would not be wrong to say that Ajit Agarkar is now the most high-profile name among the contenders to become the next chief selector. He represented India in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs and three T20Is and picked up a total of 349 wickets in international cricket.

He remains India’s third highest wicket-taker in ODIs (with 288 scalps) behind Anil Kumble (334 wickets) and Javagal Srinath (315 wickets). One of the fastest bowlers during his time, Agarkar was quickest to 50 wickets, reaching the feat in only 23 games. Ajit Agarkar also served as the chairman of Mumbai senior selection committee.

“Ajit entering the fray is an interesting development. He is someone who would have put in a lot of thought before applying. If anyone thought that Siva’s nomination as a chairman of selectors is a given will now think again. It will be every interesting to see who all are short-listed,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.

Other prominent name who has applied for the post is former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. Apart from Agarkar and Sivaramakrishnan, the other in the race are Nayan Mongia, Chetan Sharma, Rajesh Chauhan,  Amey Khurasiya, Gyanendra Pandey and Pritam Gandhe. Among the aforementioned names, Gyanendra Pandey is not eligible since he has completed four years as junior selector. Gandhe has also served his term as junior national selector.

Meanwhile, the BCCI will be replacing MSK Prasad (South Zone) and Gagan Khoda (Central Zone) from the current committee while Sarandeep Singh (North Zone), Jatin Paranjpe (West Zone) and Devang Gandhi (East Zone) will be continuing for one more season. It would now be interesting to see whether Ajit Agarkar gets the job since he will be representing the West Zone too like Paranjpe who has a year left in his tenure.

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