The 'S' Factor: Chetan Sharma, Sridharan Sharath, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, SS Das form new national cricket selection committee

Chetan Sharma, Salil Ankola, Subroto Banerjee, Shiv Sundar Das, Sridharan Sharath and Ashok Malhotra. Pics\mid-day archives, PTI

Nearly two months after the BCCI called for applications to form a new national senior selection committee, the BCCI-appointed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) reappointed former pacer Chetan Sharma as chairman of a new senior selection committee with Sridharan Sharath (South Zone), Subroto Banerjee (East Zone), Salil Ankola (West Zone) and SS Das (Central Zone) as his colleagues.

Interestingly, the BCCI indicated that there were vacancies to be filled for all five posts. Hence, Chetan's selection appears strange at a time when Indian cricket at the Test level has not reached great heights and the biggest on-hand challenge for the side is the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy for which the Australians will visit these shores.

Former chief selector MSK Prasad to Chetan Sharma & Co

In terms of Test experience, chairman Chetan played 23 Tests, the same as former opener SS Das while Ankola and Banerjee have played a solitary Test each. Tamil Nadu's Sharath played 139 first-class games and held the junior national selection committee chairman's post. Ankola is Mumbai's chief selector.

Sunil Joshi, Harvinder Singh and Debashish Mohanty now cease to be selectors.

600 applicants received

According to a BCCI press release, 600 applicants were received from which the CAC, comprising former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Sulakshana Naik and Jatin Paranjape, shortlisted 11 candidates before they decided on the five. "Upon due deliberation and careful consideration, the CAC shortlisted 11 individuals for personal interviews. Based on the interviews, the Committee has recommended the following candidates for the Senior Men's National Selection Committee," said secretary Jay Shah.

Malhotra explained to Sunday mid-day how Chetan got re-elected: "Chetan's interview... I think he [Chetan] killed it. He was too good. He explained everything… whatever queries we had. His interview was probably the best we had. He came with a great, grand presentation. He had all the data," said Malhotra, who revealed that Chetan was asked questions which even the public and media would ask of him. "All in all, I think it seems to be a good selection committee for the future and hopefully things will fall in place. Let's wait and watch," remarked Malhotra.

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‘They speak their mind'

Chetan, 57, who represented the country in 23 Tests and 65 ODIs, became national chief selector for the first time in December 2020. Malhotra spoke on the other selectors too: "Sharath has done well in the junior selection committee. Das has been attached to the BCCI for a while as an Indian women's team batting and NCA coach. Subu [Banerjee] is also an NCA coach and India ‘A' bowling coach. So these guys are well connected with the game. We probably picked people who can speak their mind."

Meanwhile, former national chief selector MSK Prasad advised Chetan & Co to concentrate on boosting the current team as well as future players. "My simple advice is, don't break the chain that has been created. It should be a two-faced programme. One is about the current Indian team and the second thing is the future," Prasad said from Guntur.

This year's ODI World Cup will be a huge challenge too. "I wish the new selection committee all the very best. We missed the last two World Cups and I hope this committee will be blessed with that trophy," added Prasad.