Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has touched off a much-needed conversation around the selection process in Indian domestic cricket. The experienced cricketer has proposed a significant shift in how selectors are appointed, particularly at the state level, advocating for a model that better aligns with the modern demands of the game.

Currently, the eligibility criteria to become a selector for a state team is relatively minimal. Any former player with just 10 first-class matches under their belt and who has been retired for at least five years can apply for the role. 

"Players should not be scared of selectors. I want to talk about selectors, especially in domestic cricket. We should have selectors who have retired recently from playing top-flight cricket, those who have retired five-six years, seven-eight years ago," Rahane said during an interaction with Cheteshwar Pujara on the former's YouTube channel.

"Because the way cricket is evolving, I think it's very important that the mentality and mindset of the selectors match that and keep pace with the change. The game is evolving."

"We don't want to make decisions based on how cricket was played 20-30 years ago. With formats like T20 and the IPL, it's important to understand the style of modern cricket players," he added.

Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, who recently called time on his international career, partially agreed with Rahane. 

"In big states, this can be implemented because they have so many options. So, wherever possible, I do agree that it can be implemented, but that does not mean that any past cricketer, who has got a great record and wants to be a selector now, should be deprived of the chance because he retired long back," Pujara said.

"I strongly believe that those who want to play Test cricket should play domestic cricket first. And everyone plays it. And it is also important to perform well in it."

"And if we talk about the current team selection, or if we talk about the last two or three series, the domestic players who have performed well in the Ranji Trophy or domestic cricket, they have got an opportunity to play in the Indian squad," Pujara said.

"So, what it suggests is that it is a positive move. Because when domestic players perform well in domestic cricket, they should get a reward. And I believe that this should continue. And the selection of the Indian Test team should be purely based on domestic cricket," he added.