With ICC setting August 29 as deadline for World Cup Squad submission, BCCI is in a hurry to appoint chief selector after failure in consecutive ICC events.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set an August 29 deadline for World Cup 2023 squad submission. That means the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has just 60 days to finalise the chief selector, or else be ready to face fans’ wrath if anything goes south in the 50-over World Cup. The BCCI selection committee is working with four members and a combined international experience of playing just 55 games.
That raises the question, is the selection committee well-equipped to provide a WC-winning squad? As things stand, the lack of experience can lead to lack of voice in front of a superstar coach in Rahul Dravid, superstar captain Rohit Sharma as well as superstar NCA chief VVS Laxman.
BCCI has already posted an advertisement for the selector’s role. And with the clock now ticking, BCCI and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) need to hurry things up even though there is already a shortlist of players.
The squad needs to be sent 5 weeks prior to the start of the tournament as ICC has set a deadline on 29th August 2023. In terms of replacements for injury and other cases, the BCCI can make these necessary changes a week before the tournament. But in extreme emergency cases, should a change be required in the team in less than a week, then the same needs to be approved by the Event Technical Committee of the ICC.
“The initial squad submission deadlines at our tournaments are 30 days before the support periods start. The support periods start one week before the tournaments. Changes may be made before the support period without seeking permission, but once the support period kicks in, the Event Technical Committee needs to approve replacements,” ICC informed InsideSport.
Why is it important to have a chief selector before World Cup 2023?
Keeping the World Cup in mind, BCCI shuffled the selectors, retaining only Chetan Sharma after the T20 World Cup 2022 debacle. But With Sharma leaving following a TV sting operation in February, it was up to the four selectors led by Shiv Sunder Das to pick the squad for WTC Final. Another debacle there and BCCI won’t wish to leave anything to chance anymore.
But who is the taker? Gone are those days when someone like Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Sunil Gavaskar or Dilip Vengsarkar will take charge, questioning the team management. Hence, the apex cricketing body is still on the hunt to find an excellent candidate to replace him, also in a hurry.
It is only natural that India will eyeing the big coveted trophy after having last won it at home, some 12 years ago. And to win a big tournament, you need a good team. And to bring forward a good team, you need a perfect selection committee. And that is exactly where the BCCI is on the back foot.
With a string of injuries, there are places up for grabs.
The backup options are another hot topic of debate.
BCCI would want to avoid any repeat of mindless selection like MSK Prasad did in 2019 WC.
The 20-player shortlist will have to come down to 15 and picking the final 15 will be crucial for the selection committee.
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