“If I have done a competent job, then I should be respected for my competence. There is no harm if I get a six- year term. Then go for three-year cooling off and come back for another six years. Even Indian presidential candidate gets five years.”
Shastri was asked about Lodha panel’s three-selector recommendation versus BCCI’s existing five-member committee, and he supported the cricket establishment.
“When I played game, three selectors were enough but the manner in which interest has grown, the combined number of people who play the game in our country is more than combined population of other cricket playing nations.
“Australia can have three selectors as they have a population of 17 million (approx). We have a population of 1.2 billion. You are asking too much from poor guy (selector).
They can cover each end of the country but still won’t be enough. I think five (selector) is in order,” Shastri said.
On a pragmatic note, Shastri said: “If things would have been that bad we would not have been where we are today. Yes there were mistakes and a whack in the backside is needed. So let’s be practical if it can work or not. There can be total chaos where other countries will go ahead of us and it will take years to climb back.
Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy: www.bcci.tv
