After Ajit Agarkar’s Exit, Former India Spinner In Line For Top BCCI Selection Role: Report

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha could be in line to become the next chairman of the senior men’s selection committee following Ajit Agarkar’s exit.

PTI reported that Ojha is currently overseeing the selection panel on an interim basis. He was also part of a lengthy meeting involving India head coach Gautam Gambhir and the other members of the selection committee in Guwahati on Tuesday.

What happened at the selectors’ meeting?

Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and RP Singh were present for the meeting with Gambhir, which took place a day before India’s second ODI against the West Indies.

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Agarkar, who recently stepped down as chief selector, was not part of the discussion.

The meeting was held around the Barsapara Stadium while the West Indies were going through their training session. The Indian team, meanwhile, had a day off after travelling to Guwahati from Thiruvananthapuram.

It is unusual for the entire selection committee to be present during a bilateral series, but with India’s busy schedule ahead, the meeting was understood to have focused on the squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Who is Pragyan Ojha?

Ojha represented India in 24 Tests and also played a key role during his international career as a left-arm spinner.

Following Agarkar’s departure, Ojha took interim charge of the selection committee. He could now be handed the responsibility on a full-time basis, although a formal appointment is yet to be confirmed.

The selectors have plenty on their plate in the coming weeks, with India set to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests during their New Zealand tour between October 22 and November 27.

They will also have to pick the India A squad for a three-Test tour of New Zealand, which starts on October 24.

What does India’s New Zealand schedule look like?

India’s tour will begin with a five-match T20I series, with the opening game scheduled in Christchurch on October 22.

The five-match ODI series will then get underway on November 4, followed by the two-Test series from November 19. The final ODI is scheduled to be played in Tauranga on November 15.

The tight turnaround between the ODI and Test legs could make player availability and workload management important considerations for the selectors.

Players selected for both squads may have to leave the ODI series early to get enough time to prepare for the Tests.

Why will the next few months be important for the selectors?

India’s packed international calendar means the selection committee will have to constantly manage the demands of different formats.

The New Zealand tour will also be an important part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. It will give Gambhir and the selectors another opportunity to look at different combinations while assessing players ahead of the tournament cycle.

At the same time, the India A programme will remain an important pathway for identifying and monitoring players who could be considered for the senior team.

With several squads to finalise in a short period, the next few weeks are likely to be particularly busy for the selection committee.