The BCCI may not have to look far for its next chief selector. He’s already in the chair as per reports.
Pragyan Ojha, the South Zone representatives who has been running the selection panel since Ajit Agarkar left, and now looks set to keep the job permanently. The reason being Parthiv Patel, the name most people expected, hasn’t applied. Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel who was widely tipped to replace Agarkar has not applied for the post, paving way for Ojha.
As of reports on Wednesday 5 pm, Parthiv’s application wasn’t in. A BCCI source said that could change if the deadline is pushed back or he has a rethink. Right now, though, it doesn’t look like he wants it. He seems happy with his Gujarat Titans coaching job and his broadcasting work.
“Don’t know if the BCCI would extend the deadline, but Parthiv had not applied till 5 pm on October 14. The situation could change if the deadline is extended or he changes his mind,” a BCCI source told on condition of anonymity.
So who fills the West Zone spot?
Ramesh Powar, who was tipped for the junior panel, could end up in the mix, and Sameer Dighe’s name is also going around. The pool of big names from the zone is small.
Ojha, meanwhile, is already at work. BCCI sources said at the end of September that he would take over on an interim basis. He has since sat in a long selection meeting with head coach Gautam Gambhir in Guwahati.
He also has the cricketing background for it. The left-arm spinner played 24 Tests for India. His last international was Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test in 2013, where he took ten wickets.
The BCCI hasn’t confirmed anything, and the deadline could still be extended.