Pragyan Ojha named BCCI chief selector as Ramesh Powar joins panel

The BCCI on Monday named former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha as the new chairman of the men’s senior selection committee, succeeding Ajit Agarkar, with former off-spinner Ramesh Powar appointed as a member of the five-man panel The Indian Express.

The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, met at the BCCI headquarters to screen and interview applicants before unanimously recommending Powar’s appointment. “Based on seniority (most Tests), Mr Pragyan Ojha will chair the Committee,” the board said.

The 40-year-old Ojha, interim chairman since joining the panel in September, played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and six T20Is between 2008 and 2013 The Indian Express. He played first-class for Hyderabad, captained Bihar in the Ranji Trophy, and took 10 wickets against the West Indies in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test in Mumbai.

Powar, 48, played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India from 2004 to 2007, beating Wasim Jaffer, Salil Ankola, Jacob Martin and Connor Williams to the role NDTV Sports. He coached the India women’s team to an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2022, and has coached Mumbai and Gujarat and served as spin-bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

The panel is Ojha (chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Powar. Agarkar, appointed chairman in July 2023, opted not to seek an extension when his tenure ended on October 4.

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