BCCI defies Lodha panel, MSK Prasad heads selection committee

Mumbai, Sep 21 (PTI) In defiance of the SupremeCourt-appointed Lodha committee recommendations, the BCCItoday named a five-member selection committee headed by formerwicketkeeper-batsman MSK Prasad and comprising two memberswith no Test experience. Prasad, who was a part of the previous panel as the SouthZone representative, replaced Sandeep Patil as Chairman of theselectors. The 41-year-old Prasad, hailing from Andhra Pradesh,played six Tests and 17 ODIs in his brief internationalcareer. Gagan Khoda, who has not played any Test cricket has beenretained in the committee from the central zone. Devang Gandhi, Jatin Paranjpe and Sarandeep Singh werethe new additions to the selection panel. Of the three,Paranjpe does not have Test experience and has only playedODIs. The move is in complete defiance of the Lodha committeerecommendations, which had called for a three-strong panelwith all members having Test experience. The new panel was decided at the BCCI’s 87th AnnualGeneral Meeting which was held in the backdrop of Lodhacommittee recommendations, which have not been accepted by theBoard. The 45-year-old Gandhi, who has four Tests and three ODIsto his credit, will be representing the east zone, whileParanjpe will be west zone’s representative. Formeroff-spinner Sarandeep is the selector from north zone,replacing Vikram Rathour. The 44-year-old Paranjpe, a former left-handed batsman,has only played four ODIs. Sarandeep, on the other hand, hasthree Tests and five ODIs under his belt, making him compliantwith the Lodha committee recommendations. In overall analysis, the new selection committee has acombined international experience of 13 Tests and 31 ODIs. Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad has been retained aschairman of the junior selection committee. PTI SSR PM AHAH