Image Source: BCCI
[Saba Sports News] The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened applications for a new member of the senior men’s national selection committee. Although the board’s notice doesn’t specify who will be replaced in the current five-member committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, there’s speculation about Salil Ankola’s potential departure. This aligns with BCCI’s preference to limit the number of selectors from the same zone, in this case, the west zone.
The criteria for applicants include a cricketing background, with a minimum of either seven Test matches, 30 first-class games, or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches. Applicants must also have been retired for at least five years and not served on any cricket committee for a total of five years.
The notice does not impose any age limit. The current selection committee, led by Agarkar, was formed last year following a reshuffle due to a sting operation that led to the resignation of the previous chairman, Chetan Sharma. The committee currently comprises Agarkar, Ankola, Subroto Banerjee, Shiv Sunder Das, and S Sharath, with a notable absence of a representative from the north zone.
As the January 25 application deadline approaches, there’s considerable interest in who will emerge as candidates to strengthen the BCCI selection committee.
Regarding Salil Ankola, his cricketing journey was less illustrious than some of his contemporaries. He debuted in domestic cricket in the 1988/89 season and made his Test debut alongside Sachin Tendulkar in 1989 in Pakistan. However, his Test career was brief.
Ankola also debuted in ODIs with Tendulkar, playing his first match against Pakistan and
impressing with two wickets. He returned to ODIs in 1993 and was part of the 1996 World Cup squad. Ankola retired from professional cricket in 1998 at the age of 28, after which he took a long break from the sport.