New Delhi: The three outgoing selectors — Devang Gandhi, Jatin Paranjape and Sarandeep Singh — are likely to stay at least till the jumbo India squad for the year-end tour of Australia is announced, primarily to ensure continuity.
Gandhi, Paranjape and Singh are completing their four-year-term (three plus one) on September 30, but the BCCI is unlikely to interview the aspiring candidates anytime soon and will instead persist with the existing committee.
The PTI can confirm that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Madan Lal (head), Rudra Pratap Singh and Sulakshana Naik, hasn’t yet received any intimation from the Board regarding the conduct of interviews for the three soon-to-be vacant posts.
“Yes, the CAC hasn’t been sent any intimation as of now. Obviously, the COVID-19 lockdown has put all plans in disarray and now, the focus is on IPL. Also there is no domestic cricket being held at the moment,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. There is a school of thought within the BCCI that at this point in time, with the IPL starting, it is better that the three outgoing panel members remain at least till the Indian squad for the Australia tour is announced. The team will be announced between the second and third week of October.
Keeping the health safety concerns and security in mind, the BCCI is likely to send an extended playing squad to Australia whose strength will be anything between 23 to 25.
“It is only logical that at least 23 to 25 players are carried just like Pakistan and West Indies did in England, a BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI. (PTI)
