MPCA Adopts AI for Player Selection
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is set to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist in player selection, aiming to eliminate bias and enhance transparency. This initiative marks a pioneering step in cricket administration globally.
MPCA President Mahanaaryaman Scindia announced on Friday that the AI model will analyze players' performance data—including runs, wickets, and other metrics—to provide recommendations to selectors. However, the final decision will remain with the selectors, who must record reasons if a selection deviates from AI suggestions.
Transparency and Accountability
Scindia emphasized that the goal is to make the selection process more transparent and accountable. "We want to eliminate any potential bias in the player selection process. AI will recommend players based on their performance, while the selectors will take the final decision," he said. If a player is selected or excluded on non-statistical grounds, selectors must document their reasoning.
The AI system is currently being tested in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League (MPL). Plans are to roll it out to district and divisional cricket units before the next cricket season starting in September.
Beyond Player Selection
Scindia noted that AI will also be used for other administrative tasks, such as processing grants for district and divisional units, document verification, expenditure monitoring, and financial management. This comprehensive digital overhaul aims to bring efficiency and accountability to all MPCA operations.
Scindia claimed that MPCA could be the first cricket organization globally to adopt such an AI-based system at this level of sports administration.
Partnership with AI Startup Emergent
For this project, MPCA has partnered with the AI startup Emergent. Emergent's CEO Mukund Jha stated that his company has spent the last six months integrating various MPCA administrative processes onto a unified digital platform. "Our partnership aims to digitize the entire process of sports administration. This will increase transparency. We want to take this AI system to the global level," Jha said.
