Laxman Sivaramakrishnan And 2 Others Apply For National Selector's Post

With the BCCI currently inviting applications from interested candidates for the post of selectors, former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has thrown his hat in the ring. Along with him, former off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan and left-handed batsman Amay Khurasiya have applied for the posts too. The last date for applying for the selectors’ post is Friday, January 24.

The Indian cricket board 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.

The amended BCCI constitution proposes for a maximum five-year term for the selection committee. But the newly-elected BCCI has opted for the old constitution of the governing body which had mandated a cap of 4 years. MSK Prasad and Gangan Khoda had started their tenure as selectors in 2015 while Jatin Paranjpe, Sarandeep Singh and Devang Gandhi joined the panel in the following year. And thus only two members of the current panel are going to be replaced.

Rumours are rife that Sivaramakrishnan could be the man to replace MSK Prasad. Hero of India’s Benson and Hedges World Championship of Cricket triumph, Sivaramakrishnan has been a commentator for 20 years and has also been a spin bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy besides being part of the ICC’s Cricket Committee. According to PTI, former junior chairman of selectors Venkatesh Prasad and former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar could also throw their hat in the ring.

“I have spoken to my family and have decided to apply for the national selector’s position. If BCCI gives me an opportunity, I would like to make a difference. I believe if I get four years, I would leave Indian cricket in a better space in terms of bench strength in all three departments especially spin bowling,” Sivaramakrishnan told PTI.

“I have not only watched a lot of international cricket but also covered domestic cricket as a broadcaster for 15 years. I feel that I can help in developing a pool of wrist spinners in the country,” he added.

Sivaramakrishnan has played nine Tests and 16 ODIs for India. On the other hand, Prasad has played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs but his two and half years as junior national selection committee chairman means that he can only be a senior selector for one and half years (cumulative four years as selector).

Bangar has played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs while  Chauhan is a veteran of 21 Tests and 35 ODIs.

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