Let Your Hearts Talk

The Indian board is close to finalising a new selection committee that will be headed by Kris Srikkanth, the former India opener, although senior officials will engage in informal discussions on Friday to assess the new eligibility rules that disqualifies the entire set of current selectors.

Dilip Vengsarkar, the current chairman of national selectors, can stay on if officials agree not to endorse a crucial recommendation of the board's working committee, which bars selectors from holding posts with state associations.

Otherwise, Srikkanth is expected to head a new selection committee that might also include Yashpal Sharma, the former India middle-order batsman, Surendra Bhave, who was a prolific scorer for Maharashtra, Narendra Hirwani, the former India legspinner, and Raja Venkat, the former Bengal Ranji player. However, officials said this list could be revised - Hirwani, for instance, does not make the cut as per the revised rules - and only Sharma's name was confirmed.

The discussions to finalise the new selection panel are being held ahead of the BCCI's two-day annual general body meeting starting on Saturday, where it will also elect its new set of office-bearers. "These informal meetings are being held to arrive at a consensus on all issues before the AGM, which will then be a smooth affair," sources said.

The New Regime The ruling group of the BCCI, headed by Sharad Pawar, has finalised its list of nominees who are expected to be elected unanimously to the Indian board during its AGM on September 27 and 28: Secretary: N Srinivasan; Treasurer: MP Pandove; Joint Secretary: Sanjay Jagdale; Vice-presidents: Arun Jaitley (North), Lalit Modi (Central), Chirayu Amin (West); Shivlal Yadav (South) and Arindam Ganguly (East).

The officials will also consider an annual compensation package of Rs 25 lakh for the selectors, and an additional criterion of a 10-year gap from the time a cricketer retires for him to be eligible - Hirwani retired from first-class cricket only two years ago. The new selectors should also have played for India, or more than 25 first-class matches.

If these eligibility rules are endorsed, especially the dual-post criteria, the current five-member selection panel will have to be replaced. Vengsarkar is a vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, Venkatapathy Raju is a vice-president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Sanjay Jagdale is secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, and Ranjib Biswal heads the Orissa Cricket Association. Bhupinder Singh, the fifth member, does not represent an association but has completed his term.

Meanwhile, as decided at the last AGM, Shashank Manohar, a prominent lawyer who heads the Vidarbha Cricket Association, will succeed Sharad Pawar as BCCI president. The board's ruling group has also finalised its list of office bearers, sources said, and the nominations will be filed between 11 pm and 3 pm on Friday.

N Srinivasan, the BCCI's treasurer, is now Pawar's candidate for the post of secretary while MP Pandove, the previous joint secretary, will take over as treasurer. Lalit Modi, who heads the IPL and Champions League, will remain a vice-president and Sanjay Jagdale, the selector will be accommodated as a joint secretary.

Pawar, who has remained in control after unseating Jagmohan Dalmiya in 2005, has moved to the ICC as its vice-president. He will take over from David Morgan, the ICC president, in 2010.