Indian Cricketers Lobbied To Have Ex-Player Named Selector

Three Indian cricketers at the World Twenty20 who called senior Board of Control for Cricket in India officials to lobby for a former player to be the chosen selector from Central Zone had their request denied, according to Indranil Basu of the TNN. Even officials of the Enforcement Directorate who are investigating alleged irregularities in IPL-II, held in South Africa, apparently "lobbied with the BCCI on behalf of this former cricketer." However, the lobbying backfired as "the furious board members made sure the former player was not considered" for the post. Instead, former Uttar Pradesh player and Coach Rajinder Singh Hans was named the selector from Central Zone. They pointed out that there was "a clear conflict of interest" in players trying to influence the choice of men who would subsequently decide on their fates. One of the board members remarked in the meeting, "Students can't be examiners" (TNN, 10/1).