Fantastic structure will make selectors’ job easy: Devang

“With Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli as captains along with Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid as chief coaches of senior and A team, the BCCI has put a fantastic structure in place. These are the main guys who are taking Indian cricket forward. As a selector our job will be to complement this core team,” the 45-year-old former India opener said on Wednesday.

“It is indeed a big honour for any cricketer if you get to work again in the Indian cricket system. Selecting a national team is a big responsibility. It is not about the zones or the states. It’s about who are the best players to represent India,” said the former Bengal captain, who had played 4 Tests and 95 first-class matches. 

“One needs to be diligent with his homework and for that you have to have a fair knowledge about domestic cricket. When I was the chairman of Bengal’s senior selection committee, I have watched a lot of domestic matches. It helped me keep a tab on who are the performers in national circuit.”

“Then I was doing commentary for the past few seasons during domestic tournaments. This has helped me get first-hand knowledge about the scenario in domestic cricket,” said Devang.

Another factor that can be helpful is that all the five members are in the same age-group having played against each other. “Myself and MSK (Prasad) have played for India together against New Zealand and Australia.

I have played a lot of cricket against Gagan and Sarandeep. Jatin is the only guy I haven’t had opportunity to play against,” said Gandhi. 

Selecting a national team is a big responsibility. It’s about who are the best players to represent India.