The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced changes to its men’s senior selection committee, appointing former India spinner Ramesh Powar as a member and naming Pragyan Ojha as the panel’s chairperson.
The decision follows the end of Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector.
Ojha will lead the committee based on seniority, determined by the number of Test matches played.
The new appointments bring international playing experience and coaching expertise to the group responsible for selecting India’s men’s teams.
Ramesh Powar Brings Playing and Coaching Experience
Powar represented India in two Test matches and 31 One-Day Internationals during his international career.
After stepping away from playing, he moved into coaching and worked with several teams, including India’s women’s side, Mumbai and Gujarat.
He also served as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
During his time as India women’s head coach, the team won the Asia Cup and secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, adding valuable experience to his new selection role.
Pragyan Ojha to Lead the Five-Member Panel
Ojha, a former left-arm spinner who played international cricket for India, will chair the committee under the BCCI’s seniority system.
The panel also includes Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh and Ajay Ratra, alongside Powar.
The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, conducted the selection process for Powar’s appointment.
Following candidate screening and interviews, the committee unanimously recommended him for the vacant position on the men’s selection panel.
New Committee Faces Important Team Selection Decisions
The restructured panel will oversee player selections for India’s men’s national team across formats, with its decisions shaping squads for upcoming international assignments.
The BCCI also acknowledged Agarkar’s contribution during his time as chairman, which began in July 2023.
During his tenure, India won three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and consecutive Asian Games gold medals.
Attention will now turn to Ojha and his fellow selectors as they assess player performances, team balance and India’s future cricketing priorities.