Ramesh Powar joins BCCI men’s selection committee as Pragyan Ojha named chairman

Ramesh Powar has been appointed to the BCCI men’s senior national selection committee and Pragyan Ojha has been designated chairman, the board announced in Mumbai on Monday, October 19, 2026. Board secretary Devajit Saikia made the decision public after the Cricket Advisory Committee completed its process.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), made up of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, unanimously recommended Powar following screening and interviews held at the BCCI headquarters. The Hindu reported on Saturday (October 17) that Powar emerged as the front-runner after the CAC interviewed five candidates, which included Wasim Jaffer, Salil Ankola, Jacob Martin and Connor Williams. Powar formally replaces Ajit Agarkar on the men’s senior national selection committee.

Powar represented India in two Tests and 31 One-Day Internationals and has an extensive coaching résumé. He has worked as head coach of the India women’s team, and has coached Mumbai and Gujarat; he has also served as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His spell with the India women’s side produced an Asia Cup title and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

The appointment fills the vacancy left by Ajit Agarkar, whose tenure as chairman of the selection committee ended on October 4. The BCCI placed on record its appreciation for Agarkar’s “commitment, conviction and contribution” and, in a statement, noted the selection committee’s oversight of a period during which the national teams won three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games.

Pragyan Ojha will assume the chairperson’s role by virtue of having played the most Tests among the members of the reconstituted panel. The new line-up brings together former India players with experience across different areas of the game, and Powar’s coaching background is expected to add another perspective to the selection process. Shiv Sunder Das will complete four years — the maximum permissible tenure for a selector — at the end of December.

Men’s Selection Committee: Pragyan Ojha (Chairman), Shiv Sunder Das, R.P. Singh, Ajay Ratra and Ramesh Powar.