Parthiv Patel opts not to apply for West Zone selector post; Pragyan Ojha to stay as chairman

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel did not submit an application for the West Zone vacancy on the BCCI senior men's selection committee by the October 14 deadline, leaving Pragyan Ojha positioned to continue as chairman.

Parthiv had been widely tipped to replace Ajit Agarkar as the West Zone representative but opted not to enter the selection process when the deadline for applications to fill the West Zone vacancy ended on Wednesday.

"Don't know if the BCCI would extend the deadline, but Parthiv had not applied till 5 pm on October 14. The situation could change if the deadline is extended or he changes his mind," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Ojha, the South Zone representative, is set to continue as chairman for the remainder of his term; his higher number of Test appearances among the existing selectors is cited as strengthening his candidature.

Ramesh Powar, who was widely expected to become chairman of the junior men's selection committee, could now emerge as a contender for the senior selector's position from the West Zone, and former India wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe is another name being mentioned; both Powar and Dighe had applied when selectors' positions were last advertised.

Unless the BCCI decides to extend the deadline and allow Parthiv to apply, the pool of prominent eligible candidates from the West Zone appears limited, and Parthiv looks set to continue with the Gujarat Titans’ coaching staff and his broadcasting commitments rather than take up a role on the senior selection committee.