One of the most serious criticisms levelled at the BCCI in recent years has been its inability to enlist big names as members of the selection panel. Chetan Sharma, Suni Joshi, and MSK Prasad were India’s last three chairman of selectors, with a total of 44 Tests. That is rather low given Indian cricket’s rich history and the high stakes involved in each of its matches.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh stated that one of the main reasons noted former cricketers avoid the selection panel and prefer to work as broadcasters is a lack of a lucrative salary. To back up his claims, Harbhajan cited former India opener Virender Sehwag.
“If you ask Virender Sehwag to become the chief selector, then the salary of that post needs to be analysed. I don’t know how much the chief selector in India earns, but if Sehwag is in commentary or in other businesses around cricket, then it’s likely he is earning more money. If you want Sehwag, a player with stature, for the chief selector’s job, then spending money has to be key. If you don’t spend money, then you will have to choose selectors from players who may have only played a year and might not be that big a name. If a man like Rahul Dravid is made the coach, then the chief selector must have the same stature as well — jiski awaaz mein dum ho, jiske wajood mein dum ho (whose voice and stature carry weight),” he told The Indian Express.