Ajit Agarkar’s appointment as the chief selector of India’s men’s cricket team marks a significant milestone for multiple reasons. The BCCI broke away from their long-standing tradition of selecting individuals from different zones to ensure equal representation.
Instead, they focused on the player’s reputation rather than their regional affiliation, resulting in the selection of Agarkar despite the presence of another representative from the West Zone, Salil Ankola, in the committee.
One of the primary reasons why renowned former cricketers were hesitant to join India’s senior selection committee was reportedly the subpar remuneration offered by the BCCI.
While the chairperson of India’s senior men’s team received an annual remuneration of ₹1 crore, the other four members were paid ₹90 lakh each. These figures were significantly lower when compared to other high-profile positions within the men’s team. However, the BCCI has purportedly pledged to rectify this situation for Agarkar.
As the chief selector of the Indian team, Agarkar is expected to receive the highest salary in recent times. His extensive experience, including participation in four World Cups and being a member of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007, has garnered him substantial earnings from corporate events, commentary assignments, and television appearances as a cricket expert.
Additionally, he previously served as the assistant coach of the IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals. Like other prominent figures in Indian cricket, Agarkar’s schedule was already quite packed.
Recognizing Agarkar’s credentials, the BCCI made an unprecedented move. Reports indicate that Agarkar was the sole candidate interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, for the chief selector position. Furthermore, the BCCI reached out to Agarkar, assuring him of a more lucrative compensation package.
The Indian Express reported that the final decision regarding Agarkar’s remuneration will be made during the BCCI’s Apex Council meeting on Friday.
