Bundela, Lahiri, Doru apply for BCCI junior selection panel
Synopsis
The race for India's junior cricket selection panel is heating up — Bundela, Lahiri, and Doru join an already crowded field that includes Praveen Kumar and Ramesh Powar. The real subplot: Praveen's superior Test cap count could pip the initially favoured Powar to the chief selector's chair, per the BCCI's own protocol.
Key Takeaways
Devendra Bundela , Saurasish Lahiri , and Nikhil Doru have expressed interest in joining the BCCI's new five-member junior selection committee.
The BCCI is finalising its shortlist and may announce the new panel in October 2026 .
Praveen Kumar (6 Tests, 68 ODIs, 16 T20Is) holds a Test-cap advantage over Ramesh Powar (2 Tests, 31 ODIs) for the chief selector role under BCCI protocols.
The outgoing S Sharath -led panel has been in charge since September 2021 .
The Vinoo Mankad Trophy kicks off the junior domestic calendar on 8 October 2026 .
Fast bowler Umesh Yadav will play for Punjab as a guest player after obtaining his NoC from Vidarbha .
Devendra Bundela, Saurasish Lahiri, and Nikhil Doru are among the prominent former domestic cricketers in contention for spots on the BCCI's new five-member junior selection committee, according to sources tracking the development. The board is reportedly in the final stages of shortlisting candidates and may issue an official announcement in October 2026.
Key Applicants in the Frame
The field of applicants has expanded significantly since the BCCI invited nominations in August 2026. Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar and ex-Uttar Pradesh fast bowler Ashish Winston Zaidi had submitted their applications earlier. More recently, ex-India pacers Praveen Kumar and Sudeep Tyagi, along with former Mumbai batter Manoj Joglekar, have also put their names forward. The identity of the candidate from the South Zone, however, is yet to be confirmed.
Chief Selector Race: Powar vs Praveen Kumar
According to the BCCI's established selection committee protocols, the candidate with the highest number of Test caps is generally appointed as the chairman of the panel. This makes the contest between Powar and Praveen Kumar particularly significant. Powar represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs, while Praveen featured in six Tests, 68 ODIs, and 16 T20Is — giving the pacer an edge by the conventional criterion. While there was initial interest surrounding Powar being handed the chief selector's role, the decision could ultimately hinge on Praveen's superior international caps tally.
Outgoing Panel and Transition Timeline
The panel being succeeded is the S Sharath-led committee, which took charge in September 2021. Its current members include Ranadeb Bose (East Zone), Harvinder Singh Sodhi (North Zone), Pathik Patel (West Zone), and Krishen Mohan (Central Zone). The outgoing panel recently selected the India U-23 squad for a match against CK Nayudu Trophy winners Tamil Nadu at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and also shortlisted a provisional squad for the upcoming U-19 Asia Cup. Notably, Powar was recently engaged as a spin consultant with the Australia Under-19 team during their ODI series against India in Rajkot.
Domestic Calendar Kicks Off
With the new selection panel yet to be finalised, coaches from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) have been monitoring the next generation of U-19 talent. The national junior men's domestic season will begin with the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scheduled to start on 8 October 2026.
Umesh Yadav's New Chapter with Punjab
In a separate development, India fast bowler Umesh Yadav will play for Punjab as a guest player in the 2026–27 domestic season, after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from Vidarbha. 'A new chapter begins. Grateful to start the 2026–27 domestic season with Punjab Cricket Association. Looking forward to stepping into a new dressing room, taking on new challenges and giving my best for Punjab,' he wrote on his Instagram account on Wednesday.
All eyes now turn to the BCCI's official announcement, expected before the end of October 2026, which will set the tone for India's junior men's cricket pathway for the next cycle.
Point of View
A more recent and hands-on coaching presence with an international U-19 setup, illustrates the tension between administrative precedent and merit. India's junior pipeline has produced World Cup winners, but the selection committee's role in identifying and backing talent early is underappreciated — and this appointment deserves more scrutiny than it typically receives.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main applicants for the BCCI junior selection panel in 2026?
Prominent applicants include Devendra Bundela, Saurasish Lahiri, Nikhil Doru, Ramesh Powar, Ashish Winston Zaidi, Praveen Kumar, Sudeep Tyagi, and Manoj Joglekar. The BCCI invited applications in August 2026 and is expected to announce the new five-member panel in October 2026.
Who is likely to become chief selector of the BCCI junior panel?
Under BCCI protocols, the candidate with the most Test caps is typically appointed panel chairman. Praveen Kumar (6 Tests) holds an advantage over Ramesh Powar (2 Tests), making Kumar a frontrunner for the chief selector's role despite early interest surrounding Powar.
Which panel is the new BCCI junior selection committee replacing?
The new committee will succeed the S Sharath-led panel, which has been in charge since September 2021. The outgoing panel includes Ranadeb Bose, Harvinder Singh Sodhi, Pathik Patel, and Krishen Mohan representing the four zones.
When does India's junior domestic cricket season begin in 2026–27?
The national junior men's domestic season opens with the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scheduled to begin on 8 October 2026. BCCI Centre of Excellence coaches have been scouting U-19 talent ahead of the new cycle.
Why is Umesh Yadav playing for Punjab in the 2026–27 domestic season?
Umesh Yadav will feature for Punjab as a guest player after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from his home association Vidarbha. He announced the move on his Instagram account, describing it as a new chapter in his domestic career.
