BCCI junior selection committee: Powar, Praveen Kumar in contention

With Praveen Kumar also in contention, however, the choice could come down to the experience of the candidates. Powar has played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India, while Praveen featured in six Tests, 68 ODIs and 16 T20Is. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library

Ramesh Powar, Praveen Kumar, Devendra Bundela, Saurasish Lahiri, Ashish Winston Zaidi, Sudip Tyagi and Nikhil Doru are among the prominent names to have applied for positions on the BCCI’s new five-member junior selection committee.

The Board is in the final stages of shortlisting candidates, with the new panel expected to be in place in the first week of October.

There had earlier been speculation that Powar could be appointed chairman of the panel. With Praveen Kumar also in contention, however, the choice could come down to the experience of the candidates. Powar has played two Tests and 31 ODIs for India, while Praveen featured in six Tests, 68 ODIs and 16 T20Is.

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As per the BCCI’s selection protocol, the candidate with more Test appearances is generally considered for the chairman’s role. Powar was recently part of the Australia under-19 set-up in a short-term role, working with its spinners during the Youth ODI series against India.

Powar was recently working with Australia U-19 team for a short-term role, helping the spinners during the Youth ODIs against India.

The appointment of the new committee comes as the incumbent committee’s tenure has ended. The panel, headed by S. Sharath, formally completed its term on September 17 but continued for another week to finish pending work, including the selection of the India U-23 squad for the C.K. Nayudu Trophy. It also zeroed in on a provisional Asia Cup squad.

None of the outgoing selectors have been in Rajkot for the India-Australia under-19 series. The players’ performances, however, are being monitored by the coaching staff, which comprises BCCI Centre of Excellence coaches familiar with their development.

The new panel will have little time to settle in, with the Vinoo Mankad Trophy beginning on October 8.

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Unlike the senior selection committee, the junior panel can be appointed directly by BCCI office-bearers, without a Cricket Advisory Committee conducting interviews.

The outgoing committee took charge in September 2021 under Sharath, who later moved to the senior selection panel before returning to the junior set-up last year. Ranadeb Bose, Pathik Patel, Harvinder Sodhi and Krishnan Mohan were the other members.

The BCCI is expected to complete the selection process soon, with the new panel taking charge ahead of the next phase of the junior season.