It’s all over bar the shouting for Ajit Agarkar. Formally, he will slip into pages of selection committee history on October 4, when his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ends. But it can now be stated with authenticity that the Agarkar chapter has been done and dusted and a replacement found.
On Tuesday, there was a meeting of the selection committee in Guwahati, with Agarkar conspicuous by his absence. The BCCI is understood to have also put an interim setup in place until a new chairman or replacement is appointed. The interim arrangement may also become permanent going forward. At this stage, the situation is fluid.
At the time of publishing this report, Pragyan Ojha had emerged as the candidate for the chairman’s position, and Cricbuzz understands that the 40-year-old former India spinner has been asked to take charge of the selection committee, albeit for the time being. Ojha is the senior-most of the four existing selectors in terms of Tests played and, by that measure, is the natural choice to take over. SS Das (23 Tests), RP Singh (14) and Ajay Ratra (6) follow in that order in terms of experience.
Whether this arrangement is long term or for only for the time being, will only be known when the new selector comes. Should it be Parthiv Patel, as is being widely speculated, he will be the chairman. In a different scenario, Ojha might continue. “You never know anything might happen in the BCCI. But Ojha looks an acceptable candidate for everyone,” said a source.
The BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who hails from Guwahati was present. He is understood to have attended the informal meeting of the selectors and addressed them on the way forward. Incidentally Guwahati hosts the second ODI between India and West Indies on Wednesday.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was understandably present in Guwahati, may have also attended the meeting. It is learnt that the selectors and all stakeholders have had some discussions on the squad for the series in New Zealand, where India will play five T20Is and as many ODIs besides two Tests from October 22 to December 1. Most of the players have been zeroed in and the New Zealand-bound Test squad will largely comprise players who were part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England last year.
The selectors are also believed to have decided on the replacement for Hardik Pandya, who has been ruled out of the India A squad who will be up against Australia A in three One-day matches in Puducherry from October 6. Whether it will be announced immediately or only after October 4 is not clear.
Meanwhile, the selectors may disperse from Guwahati on Wednesday. Das and Ratra were originally assigned to watch the India A games in Puducherry, while the new chairman, Ojha, was due to fly to Srinagar for the Irani Trophy, which starts on Thursday. RP Singh was assigned the India games and is expected to travel to Chandigarh with the Indian team for the third and final ODI, unless there is a late reshuffle in the match assignments.
