Ramesh Powar Emerges as Leading Candidate for BCCI Senior Selection Committee
Former India spinner Ramesh Powar is reportedly the leading contender to join the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) senior men’s selection committee, with the panel expected to be led by Pragyan Ojha. Ojha is currently overseeing the committee on an interim basis, and the appointment of a permanent member would help the group move towards a more settled structure ahead of India’s upcoming international assignments.
Powar, who represented India in two Test matches and 31 One Day Internationals, is understood to have received the Cricket Advisory Committee’s backing after a round of interviews. While the BCCI has not formally announced its decision, the former Mumbai cricketer is now viewed as a favourite to fill the vacancy left by Ajit Agarkar’s departure from the selection panel.
Powar among candidates interviewed by the CAC
The application window for the senior selection committee closed on October 14. The Cricket Advisory Committee, responsible for assessing applicants, is believed to have interviewed four or five candidates the following day. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer was among those considered, alongside Powar and several other figures from domestic cricket.
Former Baroda players Connor Williams and Jacob Martin were also reportedly interviewed, as was former India fast bowler and Mumbai cricketer Salil Ankola. The selection process brought together candidates with different backgrounds in Indian cricket, including international experience and familiarity with the domestic game. The committee’s eventual choice will be expected to contribute to selection decisions across formats, balancing current performance with long-term squad planning.
Powar’s playing career gives him experience of both international cricket and the demands placed on players competing at the highest level. He later held coaching roles, including work with India’s women’s team, adding another perspective to his understanding of player development. That combination may be valuable in a selection role, where decisions involve more than statistics alone: form, fitness, role clarity and readiness for international cricket all matter.
Centre of Excellence expected to have a regular voice
One notable development around the selection process is the expected involvement of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in future committee meetings. The CoE supports player development and rehabilitation, and its input could help selectors make more informed assessments of injuries, recovery timelines and availability.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia previously explained why VVS Laxman attended a selection meeting in Guwahati earlier this month. Laxman, who is associated with the Centre of Excellence, is understood to have also joined an online meeting on Friday, when selectors discussed the ODI and Test squads for India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.
His continued participation is expected to give selectors a clearer picture of players’ physical condition, particularly when an injury or rehabilitation programme could affect a cricketer’s readiness. For a busy international schedule, that information can influence not only whether a player is selected, but also how the team manages workloads and builds backup options. It may also reduce the risk of selecting players whose recovery is incomplete or uncertain.
Parthiv Patel reportedly did not apply
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel had reportedly been viewed as a strong possible candidate to lead the new selection committee. However, he is understood not to have applied for the position and was not among the candidates interviewed by the CAC. His absence leaves the way clearer for the current group of applicants, with Powar now attracting the most attention.
Powar was also interviewed for a position on the junior selection panel and had initially been considered for its chairman’s role. He is now reportedly being directed towards the senior committee instead. The shift would place a former international cricketer with experience in player development at the heart of decisions concerning India’s senior men’s teams.
Junior selection committee roles also taking shape
Attention is also turning to the junior selection committee, where former India fast bowler Dodda Ganesh is being discussed as a possible chairman. The Karnataka pacer’s experience at the international level could be useful in assessing emerging players and identifying those capable of progressing from age-group cricket to domestic and, eventually, senior international competition.
Other potential appointments are being considered to provide regional representation. Arun Sharma of Jammu and Kashmir is reportedly in contention for the North Zone position. Aged 53, Sharma played 65 first-class matches and 47 List A games between 1994 and 2009, giving him substantial experience of India’s domestic circuit.
For the West Zone, a former Gujarat player identified as L. Pawar is among the names being discussed. A candidate from Assam is expected to represent the East Zone, with 54-year-old Deep Bora considered a likely possibility. Pankaj Singh, the former Rajasthan and India fast bowler, could be selected from the Central Zone, although that appointment has not been confirmed.
Why the appointments matter for Indian cricket
Selection committees shape the direction of Indian cricket by deciding how teams respond to form, injuries and changes in the international calendar. Their work includes choosing match-day squads, identifying future prospects and maintaining depth across formats. A committee with a mix of international experience and domestic knowledge can help make those decisions more consistent and better informed.
The expected addition of Powar, alongside Ojha’s interim leadership, could therefore mark an important step in establishing the senior panel’s composition. Regular input from the Centre of Excellence may further strengthen the process by connecting selection discussions with medical and rehabilitation assessments.
For fans following cricket prediction and team-selection news, the appointments could offer clues about how the BCCI plans to approach upcoming tours and player availability. However, committee membership alone does not determine future squads: performance, fitness and conditions will remain central to every decision. Until the BCCI makes an official announcement, Powar’s reported appointment and the possible junior panel choices should be treated as developments awaiting confirmation.
With interviews completed and several names under consideration, the next step is likely to be formal confirmation from the board. Once announced, the selections will clarify who is responsible for guiding India’s senior and junior talent pathways during a demanding period for the national game.
