New Delhi, Oct 17: Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant post of senior national selector in men’s cricket, throwing his hat into the ring for a key position in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selection committee.
The vacancy arose after the BCCI decided against extending the contract of incumbent chairman Ajit Agarkar, opening up the possibility of a change in leadership of the panel responsible for selecting India’s men’s teams.
“Yes, I have applied for the job,” the 48-year-old Jaffer told PTI.
If appointed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, Jaffer would become chairman of the selection committee by virtue of having played the most Tests among the candidates under consideration.
Jaffer represented India in 31 Tests between 2000 and 2008, scoring 1,944 runs at an average of 34.10, including five centuries. His Test hundreds included double-centuries against the West Indies and Pakistan. He also featured in two One-Day Internationals in 2006.
Although his international career was relatively brief, Jaffer established himself as one of India’s most prolific performers in domestic cricket. He remains the highest run-scorer and century-maker in Ranji Trophy history, having enjoyed an illustrious first-class career spanning more than two decades.
Across 260 first-class matches, Jaffer amassed 19,410 runs at an average of over 50, registering 57 centuries. He began his senior career with Mumbai during the 1996-97 season before moving to Vidarbha, the team he represented towards the end of his playing career before retiring from all forms of cricket.
Jaffer’s extensive experience in domestic cricket could be an asset if he secures the position, particularly given the importance of identifying emerging talent and maintaining a strong pipeline of players for the national side.
Among the other candidates associated with the selection committee, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has played 24 Tests, seven fewer than Jaffer. Under the established seniority criterion based on Test appearances, Jaffer would therefore have the strongest claim to the chairmanship if selected.
The existing selection panel also includes former India internationals RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Shiv Sunder Das, alongside Ojha.
The appointment will be decided by the CAC, which is responsible for choosing the new selector. The successful candidate will have a significant role in shaping India’s squads across formats, assessing domestic performances and helping plan for upcoming international assignments and major tournaments. (Agencies)