Pragyan Ojha to Chair Men’s Selection Committee; Ramesh Powar Joins Panel
BCCI appoints Ramesh Powar to the Men’s Selection Committee, with Pragyan Ojha set to chair the panel based on Test seniority.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant shake-up in the Men’s Selection Committee, bringing in former India cricketer Ramesh Powar and appointing Pragyan Ojha as the new chairperson. The decision comes after a thorough screening process conducted by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
The Selection Process and New Appointments
The appointment of Ramesh Powar was the result of a unanimous recommendation by the Cricket Advisory Committee, which consists of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape. The CAC met at the BCCI headquarters to interview and screen various applicants before settling on Powar to fill the vacancy in the panel.
In a move based strictly on seniority—determined by the number of Test matches played—Pragyan Ojha has been named the Chairperson of the committee. With Ojha at the helm, the full five-member panel responsible for picking the national squad now consists of:
- Pragyan Ojha (Chairperson)
- Shiv Sundar Das
- RP Singh
- Ajay Ratra
- Ramesh Powar
Who is Ramesh Powar?
Ramesh Powar brings a wealth of both playing and coaching experience to the table. During his international career, he represented India in 31 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches.
However, it is his track record as a mentor and coach that makes him a vital addition to the committee. Powar has served in several high-profile roles, including:
- Head Coach of the India Women’s team.
- Coach for Mumbai and Gujarat.
- Bowling Coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
His tenure with the Indian women's side was particularly successful, as he guided the team to an Asia Cup victory and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
A Golden Era Under Ajit Agarkar
As the new committee takes charge, the BCCI took a moment to express its deep appreciation for the outgoing Chairman, Ajit Agarkar. Since taking over the role in July 2023, Agarkar led the selection panel through one of the most successful periods in the history of Indian cricket.
Under Agarkar's leadership, the Men's team achieved a staggering run of success, including:
Three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles, and consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games.
The BCCI praised Agarkar for his conviction, commitment, and the overall contribution he made to the team's dominance on the global stage during his tenure.