BCCI appoints Ramesh Powar as men’s national selector after Ajit Agarkar’s exit

Ramesh Powar has been included in the men’s selection committee from the West Zone for the Indian side, as Pragyan Ojha, the former spinner of the blue brigade, will now chair the committee. The advisory committee of the board, which is comprised of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, picked Powar to fill the vacancy in the committee. 

Ajit Agarkar’s term ended on October 04. The board included Powar ahead of Wasim Jaffer and others. The men’s selection committee of the Indian side includes Pragyan Ojha (chair), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Ramesh Powar.

BCCI names Ramesh Powar to the men’s selection committee

Powar, the off-spinner from the Mumbai side, played two Test matches and 31 ODIs between 2004 and 2007 and, after retirement in 2015, served as the head coach of the India women’s team in two separate stints when they won the Asia Cup along with the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games.

“The BCCI places on record its appreciation for Mr Ajit Agarkar for his commitment, conviction and contribution during his tenure as Chairman of the Men’s Selection Committee.” The BCCI expressed this in a statement.

“Since his appointment in July 2023, Agarkar led the committee through a significant period for Indian cricket, with India winning three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals. Based on seniority (most Tests), Mr Pragyan Ojha will chair the Committee.” He addressed.

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The chair of the selection committee is appointed on seniority in terms of the matches being played. That means Ojha took charge after Agarkar’s exit.

Challenges ahead for Ramesh Powar before the 2027 ODI World Cup

Powar’s biggest challenge will be to select the best bunch of players for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. This set of players should play most ODIs, including the home series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. 

It will also be very important for the committee to strike a stable balance between the ODI and Test format players. Shubman Gill, the leader of their Test and ODI sides, will need to be managed well by the selectors.

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India came close to winning the World Cup twice when they finished as the runners-up in 2023, losing the final at home against Australia, and in 2019 against New Zealand when they lost the semi-final. But they would want to end the drought of the ODI WC after 16 years.