NE SPORTS BUREAU
MUMBAI, JAN 23
Tamilnadu-based veteran leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and two others are the front runners for the post of new selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Soon after the BCCI invited applications for the post of selectors, besides Sivaramakrishnan, former off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan and left-handed batsman Amay Khuasiya have applied for the post.
As the last date for application is January 24, former junior chairman of selectors Venkatesh Prasad and former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar are two former cricketers who are also contemplating to apply for the job.
Besides being a part of the ICC’s Cricket Committee, Sivaramakrishnan has also been a cricket commentator for over two decades. One of the better spinners in the history of Indian cricket, the leggie has also been a spin bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The BCCI is seeking replacements for MSK Prasad (South Zone) and Gagan Khoda (Central Zone) from the current committee while Sarandeep Singh (North Zone), Jatin Paranjpe (West Zone) and Devang Gandhi (East Zone) will be continuing for another season.
The Hindustan Times reported quoting PTI that Sivaramakrishnan, along with Chauhan and Khurasiya, has confirmed applying for the selectors’ job. Confirming his candidature, Sivaramakrishnan, who has played nine Tests and 16 ODIs (25 Internationals), told “I have spoken to my family and have decided to apply for the national selector’s position. If BCCI gives me an opportunity, I would like to make a difference. I believe if I get four years, I would leave Indian cricket in a better space in terms of bench strength in all three departments, specially spin bowling.”
Since he has served as junior national selection committee chairman for two-and-a-half years, he can only be a senior selector for one and a half years (cumulative four years as a selector).
