Pragyan Ojha named chief selector, Ramesh Powar joins BCCI men's selection panel
Synopsis
The BCCI has overhauled India's men's selection committee — Pragyan Ojha steps up as chairman on seniority grounds, while Ramesh Powar, who coached the women's team to an Asia Cup title and Commonwealth Games silver, earns a seat at the table. The reshuffle ends Ajit Agarkar's tenure, which delivered three ICC trophies.
Key Takeaways
Pragyan Ojha named chairman of the senior men's selection committee on 19 October 2026 , elevated on seniority with 24 Tests.
Ramesh Powar , 48 , inducted into the panel after unanimous recommendation by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) .
Powar played 2 Tests and 31 ODIs for India and previously coached the women's team to an Asia Cup title and Commonwealth Games silver in 2022 .
Selection panel now: Ojha , Powar , Shiv Sundar Das , RP Singh , Ajay Ratra .
Ajit Agarkar departed after a tenure that included three ICC trophies , two Asia Cup titles , and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals .
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday, 19 October 2026 announced that former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has been elevated to chairman of the senior men's selection committee, while ex-India off-spinner Ramesh Powar has been inducted as a new member. The reshuffle follows the exit of Ajit Agarkar as chief selector.
New Selection Committee Composition
The reconstituted panel now comprises Pragyan Ojha (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar. Ojha's elevation to chairman was determined on the basis of seniority — he has played the most Tests among the five members, having represented India in 24 Test matches.
How Powar Was Appointed
Powar's inclusion was unanimously recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, who screened and interviewed applicants at the BCCI headquarters last week. He edged out competition from former India and West Zone players including Wasim Jaffer, Salil Ankola, Jacob Martin, and Connor Williams. Powar, 48, played 2 Tests and 31 ODIs for India between 2004 and 2007.
Powar's Coaching Pedigree
The Mumbai-based selector brings a rich coaching background to the role. He served two stints as head coach of the India women's team, guiding them to an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2022. His second stint concluded when he was moved to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (formerly the National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru as spin-bowling coach.
Powar also coached Mumbai to a Vijay Hazare Trophy win and served as Gujarat's senior men's head coach for two seasons before stepping down recently. He additionally served as a consultant coach for the Australia Under-19 side during their recent ODI series against India.
Agarkar's Tenure: Three ICC Trophies
The BCCI acknowledged Ajit Agarkar's contributions during his tenure, which began in July 2023. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saika said in a statement: 'The BCCI places on record its appreciation for Mr Ajit Agarkar for his commitment, conviction and contribution during his tenure as Chairman of the Men's Selection Committee. Since his appointment in July 2023, Agarkar led the committee through a significant period for Indian cricket, with India winning three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals.'
The new panel will now oversee selection for an Indian men's team that enters a fresh cycle, with the Ojha-led committee expected to play a key role in squad planning for upcoming bilateral and ICC events.
Point of View
But one that sidesteps a broader conversation about what qualities a modern chief selector needs beyond playing pedigree. Powar's appointment is the more intriguing one: his women's team stints were turbulent as well as trophy-laden, and his experience bridging domestic, women's, and age-group cricket is genuinely distinctive. The real question is whether a committee with no active international coaching or analytics background is equipped to handle squad planning in an era of increasingly data-driven opposition research. With Agarkar's three-trophy tenure now the benchmark, the new panel's first major selection cycle will be watched closely for both its picks and its process.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new chief selector of the Indian men's cricket team?
Former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has been named chairman of the BCCI's senior men's selection committee, effective 19 October 2026. He was elevated on the basis of seniority, having played the most Tests — 24 — among the five-member panel.
Why was Ramesh Powar added to the selection committee?
Ramesh Powar was unanimously recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, following a screening and interview process at BCCI headquarters. The 48-year-old former off-spinner brings experience as India women's head coach, a Vijay Hazare Trophy-winning Mumbai coach, and a stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Why did Ajit Agarkar leave as chief selector?
The BCCI has not publicly stated the precise reason for Agarkar's departure, but the board formally acknowledged his tenure in a statement by Secretary Devajit Saika. Agarkar served from July 2023 and oversaw India winning three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles, and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals.
What is the full composition of the new senior men's selection committee?
The reconstituted panel consists of Pragyan Ojha (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar. Ojha chairs the committee by virtue of having played the most Test matches among the five members.
What coaching experience does Ramesh Powar bring to the selection role?
Powar has coached the India women's team across two stints, winning an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2022. He also coached Mumbai to a Vijay Hazare Trophy, served as Gujarat's senior men's head coach for two seasons, and was a consultant coach for the Australia Under-19 team.
