Former India opener Virender Sehwag could become the chairman of the India selectors and also represent the North Zone in the selection committee. The former India legendary cricketer could replace Chetan Sharma, the former Chief Selector. However, if sources are to be believed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing obstacles in the same due to pay scale issues.
As Virender Sehwag was expected to apply for the role, sources from PTI reveal that the pay scale of the position from the BCCI is not lucrative enough to attract big names as Virender Sehwag. Notably, the current pay of the Chief Selector is INR 1 Crore. A BCCI source told PTI about Sehwag’s chances of being a Chief Selector, stating, "During CoA's time, Viru was asked to apply for head coach's job and then it went to Anil Kumble. It is unlikely he will apply himself and also the pay package isn't something that will be financially viable for someone of his stature. But if we talk about stature, only he makes the cut from North Zone."
Talking about the pay offered by the BCCI, the source said, "It is not that BCCI can't pay a chairman of selectors at least Rs 4-5 crore. It can actually solve a lot of these conflict-of-interest issues which prevent prominent players from even thinking of coming into selection committee."
The BCCI source also talked about the importance of having prominent players as the chairman. Talking about former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar, he said, "When Dilip bhai was chairman, he had to make a choice between S Badrinath and Virat Kohli. He saw a few India A games in Australia, and he knew whom to back. Rest is history. He could stand his ground in front of Greg Chappell before that."
Notably, former Indian cricketer Shiv Sundar Das from the East Zone is currently heading the selection committee after Chetan Sharma was fired; and will act as an interim chairman until a new chairman is appointed.