Cricket selection committee: The ball is in BCCI’s court

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Krish Srikkanth, the chairman of selectors, has made no decision yet on his future in the committee.

While BCCI sources have revealed that the former dashing opener from Tamil Nadu will continue in the hot seat for a year more, ‘Cheeka’ is inclined to leave the decision to BCCI honchos who normally decide on these things. He will abide by their decision.

At the height of the crisis on the England tour, Srikkanth had hinted to top board officials that he would like to quit owning up responsibility for the Test series fiasco. But, the BCCI as well as the selection committee know the problems that highlighted the tour on the field in terms of performances and off the field with regard to a record number of injuries had little to do with who was picked in the squad.

The fact of the matter is if the BCCI wants a majority of the committee to continue — only Yashpal Sharma is likely to be replaced by the north zone associations as he has had a long run already — Srikkanth will not shy away from taking on the tough job for one more year.

His point is that his committee did all the smart thinking in terms of choice of personnel for three years in which Team India had an excellent run.

The other point being made on behalf of the selectors is one bad series caused by an extraordinary set of circumstances does not undo all the good work put in over the years. Those close to Srikkanth point out that he played a major role in convincing the seniors like Rahul Dravid to continue playing without having to feel any pressure for their places.

The selectors who helped Team India attain the heights as in winning the World Cup while staying as the top Test team for 20 months would like to see their policies continue while the rebuilding process begins.

Sources aver that Srikkanth and three of his fellow selectors are set to continue after the BCCI’s annual general meeting in Mumbai on September 19-20.

Apart from his presence in the media that can be more remunerative, Srikkanth also has business commitments but he has managed them over the last three years.

He is quite willing to listen to the BCCI top brass if they wish he should stay on for a year and try and turn things around for Messrs Dhoni & co.