Pragyan Ojha takes charge of BCCI selection panel as Ramesh Powar joins
The BCCI named Powar to the men’s senior selection committee on October 19, with Ojha taking the chair after Ajit Agarkar’s tenure ended.
Pragyan Ojha took over as chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s men’s senior selection committee on October 19, 2026, as Ramesh Powar joined the five-member panel following Ajit Agarkar’s departure. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced the decision, The Hindu reported. The committee selects India’s senior men’s cricket side.
How Powar joined the selection committee
Powar fills the place left by Agarkar, whose tenure as chairman ended on October 4. The Times of India reported that Agarkar decided against seeking an extension. Ojha was already a member of the committee; he joined in September 2025 alongside former India pacer R.P. Singh, according to the Times of India report republished by Yahoo Sports.
The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, screened and interviewed applicants at BCCI headquarters before unanimously recommending Powar. The Hindu had reported on October 17 that Powar was the front-runner after interviews with five candidates, including Wasim Jaffer, Salil Ankola, Jacob Martin and Connor Williams.
Ojha became chairman because he has played more Tests than the other members of the reconstituted panel, The Hindu reported. A former left-arm spinner, he played 24 Tests, 18 one-day internationals and six Twenty20 internationals for India, according to the Times of India report republished by Yahoo Sports.
Who is on India’s new selection panel
The five selectors are Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, R.P. Singh, Ajay Ratra and Powar. Powar played two Tests and 31 one-day internationals for India. He has coached India’s women’s team, Mumbai and Gujarat, and worked as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, The Hindu reported. He brings coaching experience to a panel responsible for choosing the senior men’s team.
Agarkar had chaired the committee since July 2023, according to the Times of India. The Hindu reported that the BCCI thanked him for his contribution and credited the selection committee with overseeing a period in which India won three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and consecutive Asian Games gold medals.
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Sources and context
- Pragyan Ojha replaces Ajit Agarkar as BCCI's selection committee chairman, Ramesh Powar joins panelTimes of India, republished by Yahoo Sports
- Ramesh Powar appointed to BCCI selection panel; Pragyan Ojha to chair committeeThe Hindu
- Pragyan Ojha replaces Ajit Agarkar as BCCI's selection committee chairman, Ramesh Powar joins panelTimes of India
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.