Three new faces in TN selection panel

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu cricket's senior selection panel is set to see a few changes after three new names were proposed by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's (TNCA) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) earlier this week. While chief selector M Senthilnathan and R Ram Kumar will continue in their roles, it is understood that K Bharath Kumar, R Venkatesh and Tanveer Jabbar will complete the five-member selection committee.
Earlier, there was a four-member panel which included T Karunamoorthy and S Chandramouli, but the two of them have had to vacate their posts since they were not eligible according to the Lodha Committee guidelines. The guidelines state that a state selector should have played a minimum of 20 first-class matches.
The changes to the selection panel will be approved during the apex council meeting that is likely to take place next week. "The names proposed will have to be approved during the apex council meeting. Those recommended have expressed their willingness to take on the roles," a TNCA source told TOI on Friday.
In 33 first-class matches for TN, Bharath Kumar picked 89 wickets at an average of 27.15. Jabbar, too, played 33 first-class matches for TN and Goa, and scored 1331 runs with a highest score of 116. Venkatesh, meanwhile, represented Railways in 20 first-class matches and claimed 69 wickets including seven five-wicket hauls.