The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced difficulties in securing a high-profile candidate for the position of chief selector due to the reportedly low salary offered. Despite expressing the desire for an experienced former Indian cricketer, the BCCI received limited applications for the role. After much speculation, the BCCI officially announced the appointment of Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of selectors.
Agarkar is a well-known figure in Indian cricket, actively involved in various capacities such as selector, commentator, and coach. The former India all-rounder finally accepted the role due to a significant development—the BCCI’s decision to revise the annual pay package for the chief selector.
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Chetan Sharma, who resigned in February, was reportedly earning INR 1 crore (10 million) per year. However, the compensation was deemed inadequate, considering Agarkar’s earnings from other assignments. In response, the BCCI has tripled the salary, with Agarkar set to receive INR 3 crore (30 million) annually.
The salaries of the other committee members, including Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Sridharan Sharath, and Salil Ankola, currently stand at INR 90 lakh (9 million) per year. It remains to be seen whether they will also receive a hike in their remuneration.
As Agarkar assumes his new role, his first responsibility will be to select the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, which includes a five-match series. The Indian Test squad, led by Rohit Sharma, has already departed for the tour, while Agarkar and the selection panel will now focus on shaping the T20I team.
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With the revised salary package, the BCCI aims to attract experienced and capable individuals to key positions within the cricket administration. The appointment of Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector is expected to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the selection process, contributing to the development and success of Indian cricket.
