Pragyan Ojha Wins Race For Top Selection Job, Ex-India Star To Join Panel: Sources

Pragyan Ojha had taken of the selection committee on an interim basis after Ajit Agarkar's exit.© BCCI

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is set to become the full-time chairman of the Indian senior men's cricket team's selection committee, sources told NDTV on Saturday. Pragyan, who took charge of the selection committee on an interim basis following the departure of Ajit Agarkar, is set to be appointed full-time, pending official confirmation. NDTV has also learned that former spinner Rames Powar will also join the selection committee as the selector from the West Zone, replacing Agarkar. The other selectors include Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh.

Pragyan was one of the contenders to replace Agarkar, alongside Parthiv Patel, but the former India wicketkeeper did not apply for the role, paving the way for Pragyan's appointment.

Ojha, the South Zone representative, played 24 Tests for India, with his higher number of Test appearances than the existing selectors strengthening his candidature.

Among the other candidates, only Wasim Jaffer (31) had played more Tests than Pragyan. Meanwhile, Powar was widely expected to become chairman of the junior men's selection committee.

As per NDTV sources, Powar will join the men's selection committee as the representative from the West Zone. Powar, who played two Tests and 31 ODIs, previously served as head coach of the Indian women's team in two stints.

Former spinner Dodda Ganesh, who played one Test and four ODIs for India, is set to head the junior men's selection committee. Former domestic cricketer Arjun Yadav was one of the contenders for the job.

Arun Sharma (Jammu & Kashmir), L. Pawar (Gujarat), Deep Bora (Assam), Pankaj Singh (Rajasthan) are likely to be other selectors of the junior team.

Meanwhile, BCCI on Friday announced the squads for the ODI and Test matches against New Zealand. The Indian side will tour New Zealand for five T20Is, as many ODIs and two Test matches.

It is worth noting that the team for the shortest format was already announced. Shubman Gill will be the India captain for the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will take over the responsibilities from him for the next two matches as the former will rest and prepare for the Tests. The one-dayers take place from November 4 to 15, while the red-ball series will begin on November 19.

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