Ramesh Powar in selection panel; Pragyan Ojha new chief

Mumbai witnessed a significant change in the BCCI's men’s selection committee as former off-spinner Ramesh Powar was appointed to the panel, with Pragyan Ojha stepping up as its new chairperson. Powar took over the position from Ajit Agarkar, who previously headed the committee. Ojha, who represented India in 24 Tests, will lead the committee based on seniority.

He had been serving as interim chairman during the selection of squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour, which consists of five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. According to a BCCI source, Ojha traveled with the team to New Zealand on Monday. Powar's selection was unanimous, following interviews with seven candidates by the BCCI's two-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape.

The CAC also interviewed candidates for five positions on the junior selection committee. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia informed TOI that the new composition of the junior selection committee would be announced in a day or two. Ojha, 48, has been a part of the senior selection committee since September 2025, alongside Shiv Sunder Das, RP Singh, and Ajay Ratra. Powar, a former off-spinner, played two Tests and 31 ODIs between 2004 and 2007.