5 application criterion for the post of selectors

The National selection committee may have just got together for the final time to pick their Indian squad for the Test series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already invited applications for the job of National selectors.

For the first time, the board will pick their candidates via an interview instead of the zonal method, a norm which was followed thus far. This application will be for selectors for Senior, Junior and Women's teams' national selectors.

The last date to apply for the same is on September 14.

Here in this list we break down the different guidelines set by the BCCI in 5 basic points and attempt to decipher each one of them in fairly simple language.

#1 Cricketing experience

The applicant should have represented the National team either in a Test match or a One Day International and/or should have played more than 50 first-class matches in India, for a team which is selected by the BCCI.

Also, applicants who are looking to apply for the post of junior selector should have played in more than 50 first-class matches in India.

This criterion is especially important as the selectors should have experience of playing the game as this will hold them in good stead when they are looking at players performing across formats and conditions before arriving at a conclusion. Also, having played the game will allow them a better understanding of the players thought process which becomes so very important when discussing their names during a selection process.

#2 The retirement clause

The applicant should have retired at least 5 years prior to the date of application

Another critical aspect which needs to be looked into before applying is that the candidates who have already completed 4 years as a National selector in BCCI, will not deem eligible according to the existing rules and laws of the BCCI.

Apart from this, the applicant should have retired on record, from all forms of cricket at least 5 years prior to this date of application.

Another clause which is extremely important, more so if a person is vouching for the job of a selector he should ideally not be in a position to give in to favours on the basis of his playing days. This section also makes sure that the applicant has a little influence on the players for the teams he has played in earlier.

#3 Media roles

No media roles after being roped in

The applicant should not be associated with any Indian Premier League team or management, or for that matter with any other league in the world. Apart from the leagues, the person should also not be associated with any management team anywhere in the world with respect to any cricket coaching academy.

Also, once the person has been shortlisted he can no longer be a part of any media house or/and a feature writer for any publication.

This section makes sure that the applicant does not face any conflict of interest and steers clear of any undue controversy once he is roped in as a selector in whichever post he manages to hold on to.

#4 Criminal records

Should have no criminal cases against him/her

The applicant should not have any criminal or civil cases against him as per the Indian Penal Code. Also, he or she should not be under any sanction from BCCI or any of the affiliated associations of the BCCI or any Government agency.

It goes without saying that this forms a very important clause because the BCCI is constantly shrugging off charges of corruption and incompetence and the last thing they would need is a person who has a shady past in a very important post of a selector in whichever capacity.

Also, there are many state associations which are affiliated to the BCCI and thus if these associations express reservations against any particular individual solely on the basis of sketchy past it might be certainly going against the particular person.

#5 BCCI's whims and fancies

BCCI will be the boss

The candidate should be willing to appear for a personal interview as per the invitation of the BCCI. Also, irrespective of the application, the individual must be ready to serve on either of the committees, Senior or Junior, based on the decision of the Board.

This will also be a full-time role, and the candidate should commit to it with conviction.