Is Ex-India Pacer Praveen Kumar Applying for BCCI's Senior Selection Panel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Praveen Kumar applies for BCCI senior men's selection panel.
- Deadline for applications is September 10.
- Criteria include retirement status and playing experience.
- RP Singh may consider applying, adding intrigue to the selection process.
- Pragyan Ojha has also applied from the South Zone.
New Delhi, Sep 5 (NationPress) As the deadline of September 10 draws near for applications regarding two openings in the Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s selection committee, former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar has submitted his application for a position on the five-member team.
Currently, Subroto Banerjee, a former pacer, is representing the Central Zone on the selection panel. Sources informed IANS on Friday that Praveen, who has participated in six Tests, 68 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India, accruing a total of 112 wickets from 2007 to 2012, is keen to serve as a national selector.
Since last year, Praveen has held the position of chief selector for the Uttar Pradesh senior men’s team. “Yes, it is confirmed that Praveen Kumar has applied for the role of national selector from the Central Zone. It will be intriguing to see who else steps forward, as the deadline is just five days away,” the sources stated.
The BCCI has outlined that new candidates for the senior men’s selection committee should have retired from playing cricket at least five years prior. The ideal candidate should have played at least seven Tests or 30 first-class matches, or ten ODIs and 20 first-class matches.
Additionally, candidates must not have served on any BCCI Cricket Committee for a duration of five years. Besides Agarkar, the current committee includes SS Das and Ajay Ratra. Sources have also mentioned that former left-arm pacer RP Singh is contemplating applying for the national selector role, although it appears he has not submitted an application yet.
“As the deadline approaches, there’s a possibility he may decide to apply,” the sources added. Singh participated in 82 matches across all formats for India from 2005 to 2011, securing 124 wickets and was a part of the team that won the inaugural men's T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni in 2007.
Singh also served on the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) from 2020 to 2022 before stepping down to become a talent scout for the Mumbai Indians. He is also a familiar voice in Hindi cricket commentary for matches involving India and the IPL.
Furthermore, IANS has learned that former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has also applied to be a national selector from the South Zone. Ojha has played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and six T20Is for India from 2008 to 2013, taking a total of 144 wickets at the international level.
Currently, S Sharath has been representing the South Zone since January 2023, having been promoted from his previous role as the junior selection committee chairman starting September 2021.
The BCCI has also announced openings for four positions in the women’s national selection committee and one in the junior men’s selection committee, with the final application date also set for September 10.