The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed a significant leadership change within its Men’s Selection Committee, with former Test spinner
Alongside the appointment of the new chairman, the selection panel has been bolstered by the addition of former India spinner
A New Era for Indian Cricket Selection
Pragyan Ojha assumes the chairperson position based on the BCCI’s established seniority criterion, which prioritizes the number of Test matches played. Having represented India in 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and six T20Is, Ojha holds the most extensive international experience among the current members. He was originally inducted into the committee in September 2025 during the board's 94th Annual General Meeting.
The newly formed five-member selection panel now consists of Pragyan Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and the newly appointed Ramesh Powar. This group is tasked with the responsibility of selecting the senior men’s national side moving forward.
Reflecting on the Agarkar Tenure
The departure of Ajit Agarkar marks the end of a highly successful period for Indian cricket. Appointed in July 2023, Agarkar oversaw a series of major international achievements, including victories in the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Under his guidance, the team also secured two Asia Cup titles and consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games.
The BCCI has formally acknowledged Agarkar’s contributions, noting the committee's role in the team's sustained success over the past few years. His successor, Ramesh Powar, brings a wealth of experience to the panel, having played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India. Beyond his playing career, Powar has held significant coaching roles, including head coach positions for the India women’s team, Mumbai, and Gujarat, as well as serving as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. During his tenure with the women's national team, he helped secure an Asia Cup title and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
