Full Breakdown
Pragyan Ojha named Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) men’s chief selector; Ramesh Powar joins panel
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 19 2026 the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha will serve as chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, succeeding Ajit Agarkar, whose tenure ended on October 4 2026. The board also confirmed the appointment of former off-spinner Ramesh Powar as a member of the five-person panel.
Background & Context
The selection committee operates under a seniority rule that assigns the chairmanship to the member with the most Test appearances. Ojha, with 24 Tests, eclipses the other members and therefore assumes the chair. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC)—comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape—conducted a screening and interview process at the BCCI headquarters on October 15 2026, after which Powar was unanimously recommended for the vacant West-Zone seat.
Data & Statistics
- Pragyan Ojha: 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, 6 T20Is; 144 international wickets.
- Ramesh Powar: 2 Tests, 31 ODIs; 40 international wickets. Born May 20 1978 in Mumbai.
- Ajit Agarkar (outgoing chairman): Served from July 2023 to October 4 2026. Under his tenure India won three ICC white-ball titles (2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy, 2026 T20 World Cup), two Asia Cup titles (2023, 2025) and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals.
- Current panel: Pragyan Ojha (chair), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, Ramesh Powar.
Official Statements & Responses
The BCCI, through board secretary Devajit Saikia, placed on record its appreciation for Agarkar’s “commitment, conviction and contribution” during his chairmanship. The board explained that Ojha’s elevation follows the seniority criterion based on Test caps. It also highlighted Powar’s extensive coaching résumé—including two stints as head coach of the India women’s team that yielded an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal—as a valuable addition to the panel’s perspective.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Mr Ashok Malhotra and Mr Jatin Paranjape, conducted a selection process for the appointment of a member of the Men’s Selection Committee. The CAC met at the BCCI HQ to screen and interview applicants and, following the process, unanimously recommended the appointment of Mr Ramesh Powar,” — The BCCI, bowling coach
What’s Next
The reconstituted committee will oversee squad selections for upcoming international commitments, including the India-West Indies ODI series (scheduled November 4-15 2026) and the subsequent Test series (scheduled November 19 2026). Preparations are also underway for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, a tournament identified by the board as a key focus for the new selection panel.