Over the last 11 years, India Cricket Team hasn’t had a chief selector that has stature in Indian cricket. The last two chief selectors with stature were Dilip Vengsarkar (2006-2008) and Krishnamachari Srikkanth (2008-2012). One of the reasons for big players not to take the job is the non-attractive pay. A chief selector gets One crore per annum while the rest of the four members get 90 lakh each.
A former superstar can earn this much with one or two brand endorsements. Not to forget, the commentary and broadcast job pays much more than this. On the other hand, with a conflict of interests in play and the job being thankless, the superstars stay away from the job
“During CoA’s time, Viru (Sehwag) was asked to apply for head coach’s job and then it went to Anil Kumble. It is unlikely he will apply himself and also the pay package isn’t something that will be financially viable for someone of his stature,” an Indian Cricket Board official, privy to developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“But if we talk about stature, only he makes the cut from North Zone.”
“It is not that Indian Cricket Board can’t pay a chairman of selectors at least ?4-5 crore. It can actually solve a lot of these conflict of interest issues which prevent prominent players from even thinking of coming into selection committee,” the source reasoned.
“When Dilip bhai was chairman, he had to make a choice between S Badrinath and Virat Kohli. He saw a few India A games in Australia and he knew whom to back. Rest is history. He could stand his ground in front of Greg Chappell before that,” the veteran official recollected.
