National Selection Panel: Maninder, Chetan from North, Agarkar from West, Das from East in fray

new-look national selection committee of BCCI is set to have a boost in its profile with some of well-kwn former India players like Chetan Sharma, Maninder Singh and Shiv Sunder Das applying for vacant posts from ir respective zones.

However, Ajit Agarkar, who has 231 international matches (191 ODIs, 26 Tests, 4 T20Is) to his name, could be front-runner for chairman's post in case he decides to re-apply for selector's job.

While Agarkar couldn't be contacted for a comment, it has been learnt that he would throw his hat in ring and his credentials for top job will be difficult to igre considering his vast international experience (three ODI World Cups and one World T20 in 2007).

Although BCCI has officially got rid of zonal system, it is highly unlikely that two people from same zone will be kept in selection panel.

Sunil Joshi from South Zone (84 international games -- 15 Tests and 69 ODIs) was chairman while Central Zone was represented by Harvinder Singh. But, some of applicants in fray have more international matches than Joshi, who will n have to relinquish his post as per Lodha Committee rule.

"Yes, I have applied for selector's post. I have issues being an ordinary member of panel. My main aim is to serve Indian cricket. I have played alongside legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vegsarkar, learnt a lot from m," Chetan, India's first hat-trick man in a World Cup (1987) with 88 international games, told PTI.

54-year-old h in fact applied in January also but n BCCI h only replaced South Zone incumbent (MSK Pras) with Joshi and Harvinder came in place of Gagan Khoda.

Ar big name who has applied from rth Zone is former left-arm spinner Maninder Singh (94 games -- 35 Tests and 59 ODIs).

"Yes, I h applied last time (in January also) and I am applying this time. If given a chance, I will certainly like to give my best shot," said Maninder, who was considerd as Bishan Singh Bedi's ideal replacement in mid 80's for his prodigious talent.

A senior ministrator from rth Zone said that Maninder and Chetan's applications are more than welcome.

"Last time, it was Sarandeep Singh with less than 10 international games to his credit. It was a cruel joke on system. At least we have Chetan and Maninder, two very reputed cricketers of ir time applying for selector's job," a former BCCI office-bearer from rth Zone said.

An interesting choice would be of East Zone where it is always difficult to find too many international cricketers.

Das, a dogged opener and world class close-in fielder with 1326 runs in 23 Tests, is a clear favourite from East Zone. He confirmed about applying for post to PTI.

However, with his state-mate and former India pacer Debasish Mohanty alrey in junior panel, BCCI might t want two people from Odisha in junior and senior selection committees.

"Look, if Das applies, his case will be difficult to igre. In that case, BCCI may try out Debu (Mohanty) as senior selector for next two years and give someone from Bengal that position," an official privy to selection matters said.

re were rumours that former India seamer Subroto Banerjee will apply from East Zone but it is confirmed that "he is t applying" for job.

"Subroto has been a respected bowling coach for some time and he would like to continue as a coach -- be it at NCA, India U-19 or India A. He is t interested in being national selector," a source close to cricketer said.

A very interesting candidate is former Bengal pacer Raneb Bose, who is currently state team's bowling coach.

Raneb was a part of India's Test series winning squ in England (2007) but was unlucky as he did t d an India cap to his 91 first-class and 82 List A games.

Raneb has created a solid pace bowling unit for Bengal comprising of Akash Deep, Ishan Porel (currently with national team in Australia as net bowler) and Mukesh Kumar.

However, when it comes to Das versus Bose, obviously former opener is a runaway favourite. But Bose could still be in fray in case BCCI considers him for junior selector's post, upgring Mohanty to senior level.