New Delhi/Mumbai: The Karnataka duo of Venkatesh Prasad and Sunil Joshi were Tuesday shortlisted along with three others for the national selectors’ job, the interviews for which will be held Wednesday in Mumbai.
Former India spinners LS Sivaramakrishnan and Rajesh Chauhan have also been called for interviews and so have been former India medium pacer Harvinder Singh. The interviews begin at 11.00am local time.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Madan Lal, RP Singh and Sulakshana Naik shortlisted the five candidates to replace outgoing selection panel chief MSK Prasad and fellow member Gagan Khoda.
Forty four applications were received for the two positions and among those who had applied were former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, considered a frontrunner for the job, and former wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia.
“Agarkar’s name was very much considered but in the end the CAC shortlisted Sivaramakrihnan, Prasad, Chauhan, Joshi and Harvinder. He can be considered when the tenure of the other three selectors (Jatin Paranjpe, Sarandeep Singh and Dewan Gandhi) ends,” a BCCI official told said.
Agarkar not being shortlisted also is an indicator that the board is likely to stick to the existing zonal policy for the national selectors.
In that case, Harvinder, who has played for Punjab and Railways, can represent Central Zone replacing Khoda while Sivaramakrishnan, Prasad or Joshi can take MSK’s place from South Zone. “India is a huge country and zonal representation is needed,” the official added.
Prasad already has some experience in the job, having been part of the junior selection panel. The 50-year-old played 33 Tests and161 ODIS, taking 96 and 196 wickets respectively.
The 50-year-old Sivaramakrishan played nine Tests and 16 ODIS and is a known commentator. Harvinder featured in three Tests and 16 ODIs. The others in the fray, Chauhan and Joshi, played 21 Tests and 35 ODIS, and 15 Tests and 69 ODIs respectively.
The new selection panel will pick the squad for the three ODIs against South Africa, beginning March 12 in Dharamsala.
PTI
