NEW DELHI: Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas and Krishan Mohan Sharma, a current member of the junior national selection panel, are the leading candidates for the North Zone selector’s position. This post will soon be vacant due to the departure of former India speedster Salil Ankola.
According to PTI, other contenders for this crucial role include Ajay Ratra, a former Haryana cricketer who has previously been interviewed, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, an ex-Punjab all-rounder, and Nikhil Chopra.
Ankola, who may transition to the junior selection setup, will be required to relinquish his current position as a national selector.
This is because the senior selection panel already includes two individuals from West Zone, specifically Mumbai.
It is learnt that the BCCI leadership is considering appointing Ankola as the chairman of the junior selection committee, as he will be required to leave his current position despite not being at fault.
The junior committee currently lacks an international player, with former Karnataka wicket-keeper Thilak Naidu serving as its chairman.
Given Ankola’s experience of playing one Test and 20 ODIs between 1989 and 1997, he may be a more suitable candidate for the role.
“There is former India off-spinner Nikhil Chopra from Delhi, who is believed to have strong backing from DDCA. The other candidate is Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi skipper, who also has the backing of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.
“But, it is learnt, that a very influential former office-bearer wanted ex-Punjab skipper Krishan Mohan to apply and he did accordingly. Now, whether he will get the job or not is another matter, but he was asked to apply,” a senior BCCI source tracking the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
All-rounder Mohan represented Punjab in 45 First-class matches from 1987 to 1993. He was part of the Punjab team that clinched the Ranji Trophy, playing alongside notable players such as Navjot Singh Sidhu, Vikram Rathour and Gursharan Singh.
Should Mohan be appointed to the position, he has the potential to serve for a two-year term. The BCCI constitution permits a total of five years for individuals who have been members of both the junior and senior selection committees.
“Manhas is interested in the job and also has the blessings of the right people in the board. But you can’t take Krishan Mohan lightly,” the source said.
According to PTI, other contenders for this crucial role include Ajay Ratra, a former Haryana cricketer who has previously been interviewed, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, an ex-Punjab all-rounder, and Nikhil Chopra.
Ankola, who may transition to the junior selection setup, will be required to relinquish his current position as a national selector.
This is because the senior selection panel already includes two individuals from West Zone, specifically Mumbai.
It is learnt that the BCCI leadership is considering appointing Ankola as the chairman of the junior selection committee, as he will be required to leave his current position despite not being at fault.
The junior committee currently lacks an international player, with former Karnataka wicket-keeper Thilak Naidu serving as its chairman.
Given Ankola’s experience of playing one Test and 20 ODIs between 1989 and 1997, he may be a more suitable candidate for the role.
“There is former India off-spinner Nikhil Chopra from Delhi, who is believed to have strong backing from DDCA. The other candidate is Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi skipper, who also has the backing of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.
“But, it is learnt, that a very influential former office-bearer wanted ex-Punjab skipper Krishan Mohan to apply and he did accordingly. Now, whether he will get the job or not is another matter, but he was asked to apply,” a senior BCCI source tracking the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
All-rounder Mohan represented Punjab in 45 First-class matches from 1987 to 1993. He was part of the Punjab team that clinched the Ranji Trophy, playing alongside notable players such as Navjot Singh Sidhu, Vikram Rathour and Gursharan Singh.
Should Mohan be appointed to the position, he has the potential to serve for a two-year term. The BCCI constitution permits a total of five years for individuals who have been members of both the junior and senior selection committees.
“Manhas is interested in the job and also has the blessings of the right people in the board. But you can’t take Krishan Mohan lightly,” the source said.
