According to fresh reports, Nayan Mongia, Maninder Singh, Shiv Sunder Das and Ajay Ratra are the frontrunners for BCCI's new senior men's selection committee. Notably, the application deadline will be closed on Monday (November 28), with the BCCI likely to appoint a Cricket Advisory Committee to conduct interviews before announcing their decision.
Meanwhile, the outgoing selection committee, Chetan Sharma, is currently monitoring the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy.
Speaking of the candidates, Shiv Sundar Das, a 45-year-old right-handed batter, who played 23 Test and four one-day internationals between 2000 to 2002, is currently contracted to Punjab as a batting coach and was one of the coaches at the National Cricket Academy. He also had a stint with the Indian women's team as a batting coach.
Meanwhile, Hemang Badani is another strong candidate understood to be in the race. According to ESPNCricinfo, Badani didn't categorically confirm or deny his candidature for the same. He is currently associated with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and has had a successful track record in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) as head coach of Chepauk Super Gillies, which won three titles back-to-back.
Nayan Mongia is among the senior contenders who have applied for the job. With 44 Tests and 140 ODIs, he is currently part of a selection committee - at both the junior and senior levels in Baroda.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had put down a minimum qualification level of seven Tests or 30 first-class matches, 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches for application. They should have also retired "at least five years previously" and should not be over 60 years of age.
When picked, the committee will comprise five members - one from each zone of the country and its chief.