CM Majhi Congratulates Two Odisha Cricketers on BCCI Selection Panel Roles
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated former spinner Pragyan Ojha, named BCCI selection committee chairman, and former batsman Shiv Sunder Das, named a member — calling the dual appointment a matter of pride for Odisha and an inspiration for the state's aspiring cricketers.
Key Takeaways
Pragyan Ojha , former Indian left-arm spinner from Odisha, has been appointed Chairman of the Indian Men's Cricket Team Selection Committee.
Shiv Sunder Das , former Indian opening batsman from Odisha, has been named a member of the same committee.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated both on October 20, 2026 , calling the appointments a matter of pride for Odisha.
The appointments mark an unusually strong Odisha presence at the top of the BCCI's national selection architecture.
The CM expressed hope that the duo's experience would enrich Indian cricket and inspire young cricketers in Odisha.
Two sons of Odisha now sit at the table where Indian cricket's future is decided. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday, October 20 congratulated former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha on his appointment as Chairman, and former opening batsman Shiv Sunder Das as a member, of the Indian Men's Cricket Team Selection Committee — a rare double honour for a state not historically counted among cricket's elite nurseries.
Posting in Odia and English, CM Majhi wrote: 'Heartiest congratulations to Shri Pragyan Ojha on his appointment as Chairman and Shri Shiv Sunder Das as a member of the Indian Men's Cricket Team Selection Committee. Their achievements are a matter of pride for Odisha and an inspiration for aspiring cricketers.' He added that he hoped 'their experience and contributions further enrich Indian cricket' and wished both a successful tenure.Ojha and Das: the careers behind the appointments
Pragyan Ojha was one of Indian cricket's most reliable left-arm spinners across the late 2000s and early 2010s, playing an integral role in Test victories at home and abroad. Shiv Sunder Das, a compact opening batsman, represented India in both Tests and One-Day Internationals, laying the groundwork for a generation of Odia players who believed a national call-up was possible. Both built their foundational cricket in Odisha before earning BCCI contracts — and now both return to shape the game from the inside.What a double Odisha appointment means for the selection room
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) periodically reconstitutes its national selection panels, typically after major ICC event cycles, drawing on former players whose regional and stylistic diversity is expected to produce a more rounded view of talent. Having the Chairman himself from Odisha — a state that has grown its cricket footprint steadily through individual achievement rather than institutional weight — signals a broader shift in how the BCCI recognises cricketing depth across the country. For the state's young players, the symbolism is concrete: the two most important voices in deciding who wears the India blue are people who once wore Odisha's colours. CM Majhi acknowledged exactly this, noting the appointments would 'inspire young cricketers of Odisha' and bring pride to the state's sporting world.Odisha's quiet rise in Indian cricket
Odisha has never been bracketed with Mumbai, Delhi, or Karnataka as a traditional powerhouse, but the state has built quietly and consistently. Individual success stories, improving domestic infrastructure, and a growing pool of talent have pushed Odisha steadily up the Ranji Trophy standings. Appointments like these — at the highest administrative level of the sport — are both a reward for that journey and a catalyst for the next leg of it. Eyes will now turn to whether the Odisha Cricket Association accelerates development programmes to match the moment. Two Odisha men now hold the pen that writes India's playing XI. The state's cricketing ambitions have never had a louder megaphone.Point of View
The congratulatory post doubles as a soft political dividend: associating Odisha's BJP-led government with a moment of regional sporting pride costs nothing and earns goodwill with cricket-passionate voters. More substantively, the appointments test whether regional representation on selection panels translates into a more diversified national talent pipeline, or remains primarily symbolic. The real measure of impact will come in how the new committee scouts and picks players from non-traditional states over its tenure.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pragyan Ojha and why was he appointed BCCI selection committee chairman?
Pragyan Ojha is a former Indian left-arm spinner from Odisha who played a key role in India's Test victories during the late 2000s and early 2010s. The BCCI appointed him chairman of the Indian Men's Cricket Team Selection Committee, drawing on his playing experience for national-level talent assessment.
Who is Shiv Sunder Das in Indian cricket?
Shiv Sunder Das is a former Indian opening batsman from Odisha who represented India in Tests and One-Day Internationals. He has been named a member of the reconstituted BCCI Indian Men's Cricket Team Selection Committee.
What is the BCCI selection committee and what does it do?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's selection committee is responsible for picking squads for India's men's cricket team across all formats. It is constituted by the BCCI, typically after major ICC event cycles, and comprises former cricketers with national playing experience.
Why is Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi congratulating Pragyan Ojha and Shiv Sunder Das?
Both Ojha and Das are from Odisha, making their joint appointments to the BCCI's national selection panel a matter of state pride. CM Majhi congratulated them on X on October 20, 2026, noting the appointments would inspire young cricketers from Odisha.
Has Odisha produced other prominent Indian cricketers before Ojha and Das?
Odisha has been growing its cricket footprint steadily, with Ojha and Das being among its most prominent national representatives. The state is not traditionally counted as a cricketing powerhouse like Mumbai or Karnataka, but has improved its standing through individual successes.
