Former India spinner and IPL winner tipped for BCCI selector role amid Asia Cup squad selection row

Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha could reportedly be added to the Ajit Agarkar-led men’s selection committee soon. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently invited applications for two positions on the panel, and Ojha is being touted to fill one of those seats.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, the two vacancies will be filled from the Central and South Zones. Ojha is expected to replace S Sharath from the South Zone, who has completed his term. However, the name of the new Central Zone member is still not known. SS Das represented the Central Zones from the previous term.

“S Sharath, from the South, has completed his term, and the perception is that Pragyan Ojha, a former India international, will replace him. It is still not clear who will represent the Central zone and who will be replaced. In the current committee, SS Das and Subrato Banerjee have both represented both East zones in their playing days,” the report stated.

Ojha has represented India in 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 6 T20Is between 2008 to 2013. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2020. Ojha has also won three IPL titles in his career - 1 with Deccan Chargers and 2 with Mumbai Indians.

At the moment, the selection committee is led by former India bowler Ajit Agarkar. SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and S Sharath are other members of the panel. They recently picked India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which stirred controversy due to the absence of Shreyas Iyer.

BCCI ready for huge shake-up

The Board also invited applications to fill the position of a member on the men’s junior cricket selection committee, responsible for selecting age-group teams (up to Under-22) for camps, tours, and tournaments.

This role is likely to be that of the chief selector.

The BCCI has also opened applications for four positions on the women’s national selection committee. The current panel comprises Neetu David (Chairperson), Renu Margrate, Arati Vaidya, Kalpana Venkatachar, and Shyama Dey Shaw.

It is reliably learnt that Shaw is the only one who will be retained in the committee.

On Tuesday, the panel met to pick the squad for the ODI World Cup at home, starting next month.

The last date to submit all applications is September 10.

(With agency inputs)