BCCI makes official announcement, Pragyan Ojha to head selection committee, Powar included in panel
The BCCI on Monday officially named Pragyan Ojha as the chairman of the men’s selection committee, while former Indian all-rounder Ramesh Powar was appointed as a member of the five-member panel following Ajit Agarkar’s exit.
The announcement on the leader of the selection committee comes after questions over who would lead the committee following Agarkar’s departure made rounds.
Powar is now set to take charge based on seniority in terms of Test appearances. The five-man panel also comprises Shiv Sundar Das, R P Singh and Ajay Ratra besides Ramesh Powar. The panel will be responsible for picking India’s squads across formats.
Powar was appointed following a selection process conducted by the Cricket Advisory Committee, which comprised Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape. The duo screened and interviewed applicants at the BCCI quarters before unanimously recommending Powar for the role.
Powar has represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs in his international career. He subsequently built a coaching career, taking up roles with the Indian women’s team, Mumbai and Gujarat IPL teams, while also serving as bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Under his leadership, the Indian women’s team clinched an Asia Cup title and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. Powar’s inclusion to the panel adds an international coaching dimension to the selection panel along with his background as a former Indian player.
The BCCI also placed on record its appreciation for Agarkar’s contribution as the chairman of the men’s selection committee. Agarkar was appointed in 2023. Under his leadership, Indian cricket bagged three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals, according to the board’s release.
The transition marks a change in the leadership after a significant period of success for Indian cricket, with Ojha taking over as the chairperson and Powar joining the panel. The BCCI has now confirmed the composition of the men’s selection committee.
Men’s Selection Committee: Pragyan Ojha (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, Ramesh Powar