Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Curious Case of Selecting Selectors

In its bid to become cleaner and more transparent, the new Board of Control for Cricket in India management's choice of new selectors is rather opaque and confusing. While the logic behind Roger Binny's substitution is still understandable, Rajinder Singh Hans' exit has caught his replacement Gagan Khoda by surprise. (Gagan Khoda Surprised by 'Call' to Become National Selector)

Roger Binny's position in the five-member senior selection panel apparently became untenable when the Supreme Court clearly told the BCCI that it was not amused with conflict of interest among Board officials. (As Commentator, No Conflict of Interest with BCCI: Sunil Gavaskar)

The conflict of interest issue became prominent when former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was indicted for his involvement in the 2013 IPL betting scandal. On Monday, the Board withdrew support to ICC chairman Srinivasan. (BCCI Drops Shastri from IPL GC, Roger Binny As Selector)

A World Cup winner, former all-rounder Roger Binny represented South Zone on the selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil (West Zone). Since his son Stuart was a current Indian player, the senior Binny was fell victim to the "conflict of interest" issue. (N Srinivasan Removed as ICC Chairman)

Given his pedigree as a clean player and a man who wore India's pride on his sleeves, Roger Binny always abstained from participating in selection meetings whenever Stuart's name cropped up. (10 Key Developments from BCCI AGM)

So to hold "conflict of issue" against Roger Binny and replace him by the relatively unheralded MSK Prasad defies logic.  Reports had suggested the names of WV Raman and Venkatesh Prasad.

BCCI president Shashank Manohar is a lawyer. He should have known how to implement the "conflict of interest" card judiciously. The case of a tainted IPL team owner (Gurunath) and a gentleman cricketer (Binny) are totally different. Binny can surely feel hurt.

Roger Binny has been part of a successful selection committee. Stuart's future, like all national cricketers, can never be taken for granted. His form and fitness are critical factors. Therefore, dropping dad to protect the future of son is foolhardy. It's a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The selection of former Rajasthan opener Gagan Khoda as the Central Zone representative in place of Rajinder Singh Hans is perplexing. Manohar said Hans was dropped due to "performance." Now what is the measure of performance for a selector?

According to a report in the Mid-day,  Hans is clearly upset at being dropped. Unlike Binny, there was never any hint of Hans getting the axe.

"I just heard on the television that I am have not been retained. I have not got a call from the BCCI so far. It is fine. I have nothing to say about it. He (Manohar) has said what he wanted to say. I am fine (with it)," Hans said with a tone of resignation.

A heavy run-getter in domestic cricket, the right-handed Khoda, who scored a century on Ranji Trophy debut, played two ODIs in May 1998. Opening alongside Sourav Ganguly and under Azharuddin's captaincy, Khoda scored a 26 against Bangladesh in a tri-series match. He got an 89 against Kenya in his second match but lost his place when the regular players like Navjot Singh Sidhu returned from injuries.

Khoda said he was "surprised by the call" because he has been out of touch with active cricket for couple of years. Considering his experience in domestic cricket, Khoda would have been ideal on the junior selection panel. But then Manohar's wisdom and luck smiled on Khoda.

After all, the job of an Indian selector is one of the most sought after. With an annual wage of 70 lakhs, five-star perks and allowances and a job profile best known to the BCCI management, an Indian selector is a lucky man.

Binny and Hans can certainly feel betrayed.