BCCI Shake-up: Pragyan Ojha Takes Charge as Selection Chairman
The BCCI appoints Pragyan Ojha as the new Men's Selection Committee Chairman and welcomes Ramesh Powar to the panel.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially overhauled its Men's Selection Committee, marking a new chapter in the governance of the national side. In a significant announcement made on October 19, 2026, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has been appointed as the chairman of the five-member panel.
A Shift in Leadership
Pragyan Ojha steps into the role following the conclusion of Ajit Agarkar's tenure, which ended on October 4, 2026. The decision to appoint Ojha as the head of the committee was driven by the BCCI's strict adherence to seniority criteria. Based on the number of Test matches played, Ojha emerged as the most experienced member of the current panel, having represented India in 24 Test matches.
Ramesh Powar Joins the Fold
Alongside the leadership change, the BCCI has filled a vacant seat on the committee with the appointment of Ramesh Powar. This decision followed a rigorous selection process on October 15, 2026, which included screening and interviews conducted at the BCCI Headquarters.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), featuring Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, unanimously recommended Powar for the position. Powar brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, not only as a former international cricketer with two Tests and 31 ODIs under his belt but also as a highly decorated coach.
Powar's Impressive Coaching Pedigree
Powar's appointment is bolstered by his extensive track record in coaching, which includes:
- Serving as the head coach of the India Women’s team, where he guided them to an Asia Cup victory and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
- Holding key coaching roles with Mumbai and Gujarat.
- Contributing his expertise at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
The New Guard and a Fond Farewell
The fully constituted Men’s Selection Committee now comprises the following members:
- Pragyan Ojha (Chairperson)
- Shiv Sundar Das
- RP Singh
- Ajay Ratra
- Ramesh Powar
As the board looks forward, it also looked back to honor the contributions of the outgoing chairman. The BCCI officially expressed its gratitude to Ajit Agarkar for his dedicated service. Agarkar's tenure was marked by an era of immense success for the Indian men's team, which saw the acquisition of three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles, and consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games.