Former India supporting player Harbhajan Singh feels that the chief selector’s pay must be on a par with that of the head coach if the Cricket Board of Control in India wants big names to take over.
According to reports, the chief selector of the senior men’s team is currently paid Rs 1 million per year, while the other members of the selection committee are paid Rs 90 lakhs. Meanwhile, the current head coach Rahul Dravid is said to be getting a pay of more than ₹7 crore.
In an Indian Express Brainstorming session, Harbhajan Singh shared his thoughts on why the role of chief selector is not seen as lucrative enough by the country’s leading former cricketers. Giving the example of Virender Sehwag, he said:
“A man of stature, who has played the game quite often, will solve a lot of problems at the selector level. But why wouldn’t they take the opportunity? I will give the example of Virender Sehwag. If you ask Virender Sehwag to become the head selector, then the salary for that position should be looked at. I don’t know how much the chief selector in India makes, but if Sehwag is in commentary or other cricket-related business, then chances are he is making more money.”
He continued:
“If you want Sehwag, a player of stature, for the head coach job, then spending money has to be the key. If you don’t spend money then you will have to pick selectors from players who may have only played a year and who may not be as big of a name. If a man like Rahul Dravid is appointed as the coach, then the head of the team must also be of the same stature: jiski awaaz mein dum ho, jiske wajood mein dum ho (whose voice and stature carry weight).”
The Indian men’s senior team currently does not have a chief selector. Former pacemaker Chetan Sharma resigned following a sting operation in which he made some highly explosive claims.
“If the coach and the selector receive the same salary, why not?” – Harbhajan Singh on taking over as chief selector
Asked if he would be willing to take up the chief selector role if offered, the former cricketer said it would depend on salary. Harbhajan Singh said:
“Let’s see. If things improve in the future, and the coach and the selector receive the same salary, why not? The coach’s job is to stay with the team and plan around the team. But the selection of the team it’s also an equally important job. You have to pick and select the best players, and if you don’t select the players that the coach or captain needs, then the head coach position is worthless.”
Harbhajan Singh played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs and 28 T20Is from 1998 to 2016.