Pragyan Ojha Replaces Ajit Agarkar as BCCI Chief Selector

Q: 1. Who is the new BCCI Chief Selector?

Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has replaced Ajit Agarkar as chairman of the senior men's selection committee.

Q: 2. How does the BCCI decide the Chairman of the selection committee?

The BCCI determines the committee chairman using seniority based on the highest number of Test matches played among the panel members.

Q: 3. Who is the newest member appointed to the selection panel?

Former India spinner and coach Ramesh Powar joined the committee on October 19, 2026.

Q: 4. Who recommended Ramesh Powar for the selection role?

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, unanimously recommended Powar.

Q: 5. Who are all 5 members of the current BCCI senior selection committee?

The committee comprises Pragyan Ojha (Chairman), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar

Q: 6. How does the BCCI determine the chief selector's seniority?

The BCCI said that the committee chairman would be determined by seniority based on the number of Test matches played.

Q: 7. What is the role of the BCCI selection committee?

The committee selects India's senior men's squads. It assesses players' performances, fitness, experience and suitability for different formats and playing conditions.

Updated: 19 Oct 2026

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Pragyan Ojha Replaces Ajit Agarkar as BCCI Chief Selector

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha as the new chairman of the senior men's selection committee. The decision came into effect on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Ojha replaces outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The BCCI confirmed that Ojha assumes the leadership role based on seniority, which the board determines through total Test matches played.

Ramesh Powar Joins the Selection Panel

Alongside Ojha's elevation, the BCCI appointed former India spinner and head coach Ramesh Powar as a member of the selection committee.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC)—comprising former India batters Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape—unanimously recommended Powar's name for the national role.

Powar brings extensive coaching credentials to the panel. He previously served as head coach of the Indian women's cricket team and coached state teams including Mumbai and Gujarat. He also served as a specialized spin bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Complete List: India's Senior Men's Selection Committee

The newly restructured 5-member selection committee brings a blend of international playing and coaching expertise across formats:

Pragyan Ojha – Chairman
Shiv Sundar Das – Member
RP Singh – Member
Ajay Ratra – Member
Ramesh Powar – Member

Core Operational Responsibilities of the Panel

The senior men's selection committee oversees all squad announcements for Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is).

Primary Tasks of the Selectors:

Form & Fitness Tracking: Evaluates domestic performances across the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the IPL.
Transition Planning: Balances veteran players with emerging youth talent to build sustainable squads for ICC tournaments.
Workload Management: Coordinates with medical teams at the BCCI Centre of Excellence to manage pacer rotation and injury rehabilitation.

Strategic Significance for Indian Cricket

The inclusion of Ojha and Powar signals a strategic shift toward specialized spin and bowling assessments in team selection.

With major international series and ICC events on the horizon, Ojha's panel faces the task of managing squad transitions while maintaining India's dominance across all three formats.

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