The new chief selector of India men’s cricket team Chetan Sharma has promised that he will be only working for the progress of Indian cricket. The former Indian pacer has replaced Sunil Joshi from the chief selector’s position.
Sharma represented India in 23 Tests and 65 ODIs during an 11-year-old international career, the highlight of which was his hat-trick in the 1987 World Cup.
The new panel was formed on the sidelines of the Board’s 89th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here, with Sharma pipping Maninder Singh and Vijay Dahiya from the north zone. BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has also picked Mumbai’s Abey Kuruvilla and Odisha’s Debasis Mohanty in the five-member selection committee.
“It’s indeed a privilege for me to get an opportunity to serve Indian cricket once again. I am a man of few words and my action will speak louder than words,” Sharma, who has a five-wicket haul at Lord’s in a Test match, told PTI.
“I can only thank BCCI for this opportunity,” the 54-year-old added.
Chetan Sharma preferred based on seniority:
BCCI secretary Jay Shah informed that Chetan Sharma was offered the chief selectors position despite Sunil Joshi already serving the position only because he has much experience of playing in international cricket.
“The committee further recommended Chetan Sharma for the role of chairman of the senior men’s selection committee based on seniority (total number of Test matches),” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a press release.
“The CAC will review the candidates after a one-year period and make the recommendations to the BCCI,” Shah added.
Ajit Agarkar‘s name was also going around for the position but medium-pacer Kuruvilla, who was backed by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) bigwigs, was preferred over a more decorated Ajit Agarkar from the west zone
The new selection committee’s first meeting will be held to pick the squad for the full-fledged home series against England.