The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Pragyan Ojha as the chairman of the men’s selection committee following the departure of Ajit Agarkar. This decision, announced on Monday, clarifies the leadership structure within the selection committee, with Ojha taking the lead due to his seniority in Test appearances. The five-member panel also includes Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar, who has been inducted as a new member.

Ojha’s selection comes at a crucial time, as there were uncertainties about who would head the committee after Agarkar’s exit. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer had reportedly applied for the position, having played 31 Tests, which is more than Ojha’s 24. This raised questions about the BCCI’s emphasis on seniority in such appointments. However, the board’s announcement has confirmed Ojha as the chairperson, solidifying his role in shaping the future of Indian cricket.

During his international career, Ojha played 24 Tests, 18 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and six Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), taking 113 wickets in Tests. His experience positions him as a key figure in the committee responsible for making pivotal selection decisions for the men’s national team.

Ramesh Powar Joins the Selection Panel

Ramesh Powar’s appointment as a member of the selection panel adds significant experience to the committee. Powar represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs during his playing career. Following his retirement, he transitioned into coaching, taking on roles with the India women’s team, Mumbai, and Gujarat, and served as the bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Powar’s tenure as head coach of the India women’s team was marked by notable achievements, including winning the Asia Cup and securing a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. His extensive coaching background and experience as a former player bring valuable insights to the selection panel, which is tasked with selecting squads for various formats of the game.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, conducted the selection process for Powar’s role. After screening and interviewing candidates at the BCCI headquarters, they unanimously recommended Powar for the position, completing the five-member selection committee.

BCCI Acknowledges Ajit Agarkar’s Contributions

The BCCI has expressed its gratitude for Ajit Agarkar’s contributions as chairman of the men’s selection committee. Appointed in July 2023, Agarkar led the panel during a successful period for Indian cricket, overseeing the team’s victories in three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles, and back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games.

His leadership has been credited with fostering a successful environment for the Indian cricket team, and the BCCI’s acknowledgment of his efforts marks a respectful transition in leadership. With Ojha now at the helm and Powar joining the selection panel, the BCCI has confirmed the composition of the men’s selection committee, setting the stage for future selections.

The current men’s selection committee now consists of Pragyan Ojha as chairperson, along with Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar. This new structure aims to continue the momentum of success in Indian cricket and make informed decisions regarding player selections across all formats.

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