Pragyan Ojha is the new chairman of the BCCI men’s selection committee. He takes over from Ajit Agarkar. Ramesh Powar has also joined the panel as a new member. The committee now has five members: Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Powar.
The Cricket Advisory Committee conducted interviews at the BCCI headquarters. It included Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape. They unanimously recommended Powar for the role. Ojha will lead the panel because of seniority. Under BCCI rules, the selector with the most Test caps becomes chairman. Ojha played 24 Tests, which is more than the others on the panel.
Agarkar’s term ended on October 4, 2026. He chose not to seek an extension. His time in charge was very successful. India won the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. They also won the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team claimed two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals. The BCCI thanked Agarkar for his work and commitment.
Ojha joined the selection panel in September 2025. He was inducted at the BCCI’s 94th Annual General Meeting, along with RP Singh. Ojha was a left-arm spinner for India. He played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and six T20Is.
Powar brings both playing and coaching experience. He played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India. He has coached the India women’s team, Mumbai, and Gujarat. He has also worked as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. With the India women’s team, he won the Asia Cup and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Ramesh Powar Joins BCCI Men’s Selection Committee
Ramesh Powar has been appointed to India’s men’s selection committee. Pragyan Ojha is the new chairman of the panel. The BCCI made the announcement on Monday.
Powar replaces Ajit Agarkar, who was the previous chairman. Ojha will lead the committee because of seniority. He has played 24 Tests, which is more than any other member. Ojha had already been serving as interim chairman. He helped pick the squads for the New Zealand tour. According to a BCCI source, Ojha left for New Zealand with the team on Monday.
The BCCI’s two-member Cricket Advisory Committee chose Powar. The committee includes former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape. They interviewed seven candidates at the BCCI headquarters. The committee also interviewed candidates for the junior selection committee. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the new junior panel will be announced in a day or two.
Ojha has been on the senior selection committee since September 2025. The other members are Shiv Sunder Das, RP Singh, and Ajay Ratra. Powar is 48 years old. He played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India between 2004 and 2007.
When is Team India’s Next Cricket Series?
India’s men’s cricket team is touring New Zealand for a full series. The tour starts next week. India will play five T20Is, then five ODIs, and finally two Tests. The Test series is part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The ODIs are preparation for next year’s World Cup. India A will also play three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the tour in June. It is the biggest bilateral series ever played between the two countries. The New Zealand government is supporting the tour. It is part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between the two nations.
Shubman Gill will captain India in the first three ODIs and the two Tests. Shreyas Iyer will captain the T20I series and the last two ODIs. Jasprit Bumrah has been picked only for the Tests. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play only the ODIs. The BCCI has named two separate ODI squads.
Sony Sports Network will broadcast the matches in India. They will be shown on Sony Ten SD and HD channels. Live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website. This includes the India A matches.
The first T20I is on October 22 in Christchurch. The first ODI is on November 4 in Auckland. The first Test is on November 19 in Wellington.
FAQs
Q. Who is the new chairman of the BCCI men’s selection committee?
A. Pragyan Ojha is the new chairman of the BCCI men’s selection committee.
Q. Who replaced Ajit Agarkar on the selection committee?
A. Ramesh Powar replaced Ajit Agarkar on the committee.
Q. Why was Pragyan Ojha appointed chairman?
A. Ojha has the most Test caps among the committee members, with 24 appearances.
Q. Who recommended Ramesh Powar for the role?
A. The Cricket Advisory Committee unanimously recommended Powar.
Q. Which teams has Ramesh Powar coached?
A. Powar has coached the India women’s team, Mumbai, and Gujarat.
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