Who Picks Team India? The Secret Behind Indian Cricket Team Selectors!
Why does your favourite player sometimes get dropped? And do the Indian cricket team selectors really pick the best team, or is there bias and politics involved?
The truth is, selecting Team India isn’t as simple as it seems.
Big names, shocking rejections, sting operations, and heated debates—all play a part in how our cricket team is chosen.
In this article, we’ll break down:
✅ Who are the Indian cricket team selectors?
✅ How do they pick players?
✅ Past controversies & shocking changes
✅ Do the captain and coach influence decisions?
✅ Can selectors be biased?
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Indian Cricket Team Selectors
Cricket is like a religion in India, and the Indian cricket team selectors play a big role in choosing the best players for the country.
But how do they select players? Are they fair? Let’s break it down in simple words.
Who Are the Indian Cricket Team Selectors?
The Indian cricket team selectors are a group of former players and experts appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Their job is to pick players for:
- Senior Men’s Team (Tests, ODIs, T20Is)
- India ‘A’ Team (young players who can play for India in the future)
- Women’s Team
- Junior Teams (Under-19, etc.)
The selectors watch matches, analyse player performances, and then decide who deserves a chance.
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How Are Selectors Chosen?
Earlier, the BCCI followed a zonal system, meaning each of India’s five zones (North, South, East, West, Central) had one selector.
However, in 2016, the Lodha Committee recommended changes, and the zonal system was removed to reduce bias.
Now, the Indian cricket team selectors are chosen by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes former players like:
- Sulakshana Naik
- Ashok Malhotra
- Jatin Paranjpe
Selectors get a 2-year term, which can be extended by 1 more year if they do a good job.
Read out – Complete List of All India Cricket Team Captains: World Cups, Records & Glory
Current Senior Men’s Selection Committee
The Indian cricket team selectors for the senior men’s team are:
Name | Role | Background |
Ajit Agarkar | Chairman | Former fast bowler |
Shiv Sunder Das | Member | Former opening batsman |
Subroto Banerjee | Member | Former fast bowler |
Ajay Ratra | Member | Former wicketkeeper |
Sridharan Sharath | Member | Former first-class batsman |
How Do They Select Players?
- Watch domestic and international matches
- Discuss with the captain and coach (who also have a vote)
- Pick players based on form, fitness, and future potential
Past Controversies
Sometimes, people question if the Indian cricket team selectors are biased towards players from their own zones.
There have been some big changes in the selection panel:
- Chetan Sharma was the chief selector but was removed after India’s poor performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
- He was reappointed in January 2023 but resigned after a sting operation where he made controversial comments.
- Ajit Agarkar became the new chief selector in July 2023.
Read out – BCCI Central Contracts 2024-25: Salary, Full List, and Surprise Comebacks
Women’s Selection Committee
The Indian women’s cricket team selectors are all former women players.
The current committee includes:
Name | Role |
Neetu David | Chief Selector |
Aarti Vaidya | Member |
Renu Margrate | Member |
Venkatcher Kalpana | Member |
Shyama Shaw | Member |
They pick players for the women’s team in all formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is).
Junior Selection Committee
Young players dream of playing for India, and the junior selectors help them get there.
The current committee is:
Name | Role |
VS Thilak Naidu | South Zone (Chairman) |
Pathik Patel | West Zone |
Ranadeb Bose | East Zone |
Kishan Mohan | North Zone |
Harvinder Singh Sodhi | Central Zone |
They select players for Under-19, Under-23, and other age-group teams.
Do Captain and Coach Influence Selection?
Yes! The captain and coach of the Indian team also have a say in team selection.
- They attend selection meetings.
- They give their opinions on players.
- They even vote during selection discussions.
This helps because the captain and coach know the players’ strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else.
Read out – India National Cricket Team Coaches | Salary | Full List | Coaching Staff
Challenges Faced by Indian Cricket Team Selectors
Selecting the best team is not easy. The Indian cricket team selectors face many challenges:
- Pressure from Fans & Media – Everyone has an opinion on who should be in the team.
- Zonal Bias Allegations – Some believe selectors favour players from their own regions.
- Injuries & Form Slumps – A player may be great but suddenly lose form or get injured.
- Balancing Experience & Youth – Should they pick experienced players or young talent?
How Can Selectors Improve?
To make sure the Indian cricket team selectors pick the best players, they can:
✔ Watch More Domestic Cricket – Many talented players perform well in the Ranji Trophy but don’t get noticed.
✔ Be Transparent – Fans should know why certain players are picked or dropped.
✔ Reduce Bias – Avoid favouring players just because they come from a particular zone.
✔ Listen to Captain & Coach – They work closely with players and know who fits best.
Final Thoughts
The Indian cricket team selectors have a tough job.
They must pick the best players while handling pressure from fans, media, and even politics.
With Ajit Agarkar leading the selection panel now, fans hope for better decisions and a stronger Indian team in the future.
What do you think? Should the selection process change? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs
Q1: Who appoints the Indian cricket team selectors?
A: The BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) appoints them.
Q2: How long do selectors stay in their roles?
A: They get 2 years, which can extend to 3 years if they perform well.
Q3: Do the captain and coach have a say in selection?
A: Yes, they vote and give their opinions during selection meetings.
Q4: Why was Chetan Sharma removed as chief selector?
A: Due to India’s poor performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and later due to a sting operation.
Q5: Who is the current chief selector of India?
A: Ajit Agarkar (as of 2024).