Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha will chair the men’s selection committee, with Ramesh Powar replacing Ajit Agarkar on the five-member panel, the BCCI announced.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, met at the BCCI headquarters to screen and interview applicants and unanimously recommended Powar’s appointment.
Ojha will chair the committee on the basis of seniority, having played the most Tests among its members.
Powar represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs during his international playing career. He has since held major coaching roles, including head coach of the India women’s team, Mumbai and Gujarat, as well as bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
During his stint with the India women’s team, he guided them to an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal.
“The BCCI places on record its appreciation for Mr Ajit Agarkar for his commitment, conviction and contribution during his tenure as Chairman of the Men’s Selection Committee,” the board said.
Since his appointment in July 2023, Agarkar led the committee through a significant period for Indian cricket, with India winning three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals, the BCCI said.
The men’s selection committee comprises Pragyan Ojha (chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Ramesh Powar.
Earlier, The Telegraph reported on October 18 that Ojha was set to replace Agarkar as chief selector after a decision was made that Powar would serve as the West Zone representative on the five-member committee.
The report noted that former left-arm spinner Ojha, who played 24 Tests, had served as interim chairman after Agarkar’s departure, as he was the most senior among the four on the panel.
Parthiv Patel was tipped to take over from Agarkar but the former wicketkeeper-batter didn’t apply when the deadline for the senior panel closed on Wednesday.
“It is understood that Parthiv backtracked after considering certain financial issues,” the Telegraph reported. “The remuneration for the selection committee chief is reportedly Rs 3 crore annually, and Parthiv is believed to lose out substantially if he has to sacrifice his TV commentary assignments and commitments with Gujarat Titans in the IPL.”
Sources told The Telegraph that the BCCI decided to go ahead with Powar as West Zone representative, not Jaffer, who played 31 Tests, to keep the selectors in sync with the team management’s current policy ahead of the ODI World Cup. Ojha has been around for more than a year and is conversant with the team management’s wishes.
Powar, earlier interviewed for the junior selection panel, was initially considered for the chairman’s role but eventually co-opted into the senior panel, the report said.
The Telegraph also reported that VVS Laxman would have a bigger role linking the selectors with the Centre of Excellence.
“The Centre of Excellence chief has already attended two selection meetings, including one in person in Guwahati, and his presence will be a regular feature henceforth,” the report said.
“This will help in better co-ordination between the selectors and the COE with respect to the players’ fitness and injury status. There had been a lot of controversy between the team management and the COE regarding players’ availability during Agarkar’s tenure.”
One further fix: Use Wasim Jaffer at his first mention. I omitted the earlier paragraph introducing his full name when shortening the background.