The tenure of Ajit Agarkar as head of the Indian selection committee is nearing its conclusion, with his formal exit scheduled for October 4 upon the expiration of his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Following a meeting in Guwahati, it has been decided that former India spinner Pragyan Ojha will take charge of the committee. Currently, the 40-year-old is serving in an interim capacity, though it remains uncertain whether this arrangement will eventually become permanent. At the time of publishing this report, Pragyan Ojha had emerged as the candidate for the chairman’s position, and understands that the 40-year-old former India spinner has been asked to take charge of the select. It’s all over bar the shouting for Ajit Agarkar. Will only be known when the new selector comes, whether this arrangement is long term or for only for the time being.
Ojha was the logical candidate for the leadership role, as he possesses the most Test experience among the current selection panel. Behind him in terms of international caps are SS Das with 23 Tests, RP Singh with 14, and Ajay Ratra with 6. An internal source noted that while the inner workings of the BCCI are often unpredictable, Ojha is viewed as a widely acceptable choice to bridge the leadership gap.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who represents Guwahati, participated in the informal discussions to outline the board’s future strategy. He was joined by head coach Gautam Gambhir, as the group focused on squad selections for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. That series, scheduled from October 22 to December 1, is set to feature five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, with the Test squad expected to mirror the group that competed for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England last year.
The selection panel also addressed urgent roster adjustments, specifically identifying a replacement for Hardik Pandya, who has been ruled out of the India A squad for the upcoming three-match One-day series against Australia A in Puducherry beginning October 6. It is not yet clear when the BCCI will formally announce these personnel decisions, as a final confirmation may be delayed until after Agarkar’s official departure date. According to but it can now be, With authenticity that the Agarkar chapter has been done and dusted and a replacement found.
Regarding individual responsibilities, the selectors are slated to disperse following the Guwahati meetings. SS Das and Ajay Ratra are designated to monitor the India A fixtures in Puducherry, while the new chairman, Ojha, is scheduled to attend the Irani Trophy in Srinagar starting this Thursday. RP Singh is tasked with following the Indian national team, with travel plans to Chandigarh for the third and final ODI against West Indies currently in place, pending any last-minute administrative changes.
