BCCI selection meeting - (Source: BCCI/X)Wednesday, October 14, was the last day to apply for the vacant West zone selector role after Ajit Agarkar refused to extend his tenure. Speculation suggested Parthiv Patel, touted as the front-runner, might apply, but to everyone’s surprise, the former India opener didn’t.In the latest developments, a report from Times of India stated that since Parthiv Patel has opted out, Pragyan Ojha will continue as interim chief selector. Notably, Ojha would have acted just as a selector if Parthiv would have applied, because Patel has played more Tests than him.VVS Laxman’s Influence Behind Parthiv Patel’s Decision?Following Ajit Agarkar’s departure, Pragyan Ojha was roped in as interim chief selector among the four-member selection committee featuring Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh. Ojha’s first selection meeting was for New Zealand T20Is, and he will also sit in on the upcoming selections for Tests and ODIs for the Kiwis tour.The report also added that the reason behind Parthiv Patel opting out of the selector race is the growing influence of VVS Laxman. For the unversed, Laxman, who is the head of CoE, sat in the selection meeting for New Zealand T20Is and will be part of every selection meeting from now on.Therefore, Parthiv Patel feared that Laxman might have a greater say in selection, which is why he opted out of the selectors’ race.“BCCI would have preferred continuity with Agarkar staying on till the World Cup, but things didn't go as expected. If a new chairman of the selection committee comes in, there's a chance his vision could be different from the ones working now. So, the board will have to gauge the vision of the new selectors. With VVS Laxman's growing influence, the board may let things remain the way they are at present."ALSO READParthiv Patel Doesn't Apply For Indian Selector Role Until The Final Day- ReportBCCI Approach Former Cricketers; Faces RejectionNotably, the board is keen on hiring selectors with experience and former players who have played around 100 Tests. The report added that the apex cricket board of India had approached two cricketers who played more than a century of Tests for India, but faced rejection.The development comes as the board has increased the budget for selectors. Earlier, the Mithun Manhas-led side used to reserve 14.45 crores for the selection committee, which was increased by 3 crores to 17.45 crores during Ajit Agarkar’s tenure.For the ongoing season, the BCCI has increased the budget by 2 crores to 19.45 crores.ALSO READIndian Cricketer Slams Shamar Joseph For Arshdeep Singh Assault In IND vs WI 4th T20I
