'Paise ki kami nahi hai, don't select 3D, 4D players' - Fans react as annual salary of chief selector set to be raised following Ajit Agarkar's appointment

Ajit Agarkar (Source: Twitter)

Former India bowling all-rounder Ajit Agarkar has been appointed as the new chairman of selectors of the Indian men's cricket team. The 45-year-old will take over the post, which has been lying vacant since February following the resignation of Chetan Sharma. The three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) unanimously recommended Agarkar for the role.

The committee consisting of Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape interviewed applicants for the position of one selector in the Men's Selection Committee. “The three-member CAC has unanimously recommended Mr Ajit Agarkar for the said position,” the Indian Cricket Board said in a statement.

According to the press release, Agarkar's seniority in Test matches played was an advantage in his selection as chief selector, representing India in over 200 international matches.

Ajit Agarkar would be paid 3 crores: Reports 

It is understood that the governing body of Indian cricket has signed an agreement with Agarkar with the promise of increasing the annual salary of the chief selector. Earlier, the salary was 1 crore, but according to cricbuzz, it has now been hiked to 3 crores. The other members of the selection panel - Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath and Shiv Sundar Das - are paid Rs 90 lakh per annum each.

Chetan Sharma was forced to resign after a sensational sting operation revealed him discussing sensitive secrets in the Indian cricket team. The 57-year-old said the Indian players have their own doctors outside to clear their fitness and some top players have been regular visitors to him for inclusion in the squad. Following Sharma‘s resignation, former Indian batter Shiv Sunder Das was appointed as the interim chief selector.

Interestingly, Agarkar was not selected by the Indian Cricket Board when he applied for the position of selector in 2022. However, with the promise of increased pay, Agarkar decided to apply, and he was the only senior name on the list of candidates. The right-hander resigned from his role as assistant coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Delhi Capitals on Thursday.

Here's how fans reacted: 

The most deserving candidate 🙌🏼💯

— Somyash Gouda🇮🇳 (@Somyash11) July 4, 2023

He did get it right mostly as an analyst hope he gets it right as the Chief Selector too.

— Pooh (@ThodaYehThodaWo) July 4, 2023

Landya will pay him 10+ cr for Sofa

— Aryan 45 🇮🇳 (@Iconic_Rohit) July 5, 2023

Just make the right choices
Paise ki kami nahi hai

Aur de do 🙏🏻

— Prateek Shukla (@prateekshukl) July 5, 2023

Another selector from Mumbai. Nothing going to change in indian team selection.

— prasanna (@sannaah901) July 5, 2023

Mumbai ke Cricketers Select honge ab

— Aditya (@Adiithings) July 5, 2023

more than PSL budget

— Hindu Sher Messi🕉️ (@CuleFromCampnou) July 5, 2023

Give him 5 cr also but tell him to not pick 3D 4D 5D players

— Bala_rbk (@dreamer_d11) July 5, 2023

Contribution will be zero as team will be selected based on Instagram follower… 😂 india will become Windies very soon…

— Ranjan (@ranjanninu) July 5, 2023