Pragyan Ojha takes charge as India's interim chief selector as Ajit Agarkar's tenure ends
Ojha, the senior-most selector by Tests played, chaired the panel's meeting in Guwahati. Agarkar's contract ends on 4 October and he has not extended it.
Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has taken charge as the interim chairman of India's senior men's selection committee, as Ajit Agarkar's time in the role comes to an end. The news was first reported by Cricbuzz.
What happened
The selection committee met in Guwahati on Tuesday, 29 September, on the eve of the second ODI against West Indies. Agarkar was not part of the meeting, and Ojha chaired it as interim head.
According to the reports, Agarkar's contract as chairman of selectors runs until 4 October 2026, and he is understood not to have extended his tenure.
Why an interim chief selector?
There are two reasons India have gone with an interim arrangement rather than naming a new chairman straight away.
- Selection work can't wait. The panel has to pick squads for upcoming assignments, including the tour of New Zealand, while the BCCI completes the process of appointing a permanent chairman.
- Seniority decides who steps up. When the chairman is unavailable, the role goes to the most senior selector, measured by the number of Test matches played. With 24 Tests, Ojha has more Test experience than anyone else on the current panel.
The selection committee
- Pragyan Ojha (interim chairman)
- Shiv Sundar Das
- Ajay Ratra
- R P Singh
What's on Ojha's desk
The interim panel faces a busy few weeks:
- India A squads for their upcoming multi-format series
- India's Test and ODI squads for the tour of New Zealand
- Early planning, player combinations and workload management ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup
Who is Pragyan Ojha?
Ojha, 40, was a left-arm spinner who played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and 6 T20Is for India, taking 144 international wickets, 113 of them in Tests. His most famous performance came in Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test in Mumbai in 2013, when he took 10 wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match. After retiring, he moved into commentary and later joined the national selection panel.
Will Ojha get the job permanently?
PTI reports that Ojha is in line to become the next full-time chief selector. Other names, including former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, have also been mentioned in reports as possible candidates. The BCCI has not yet announced a permanent appointment.
Agarkar's legacy
Agarkar took over as chairman of selectors in July 2023 and oversaw one of the most successful periods in Indian white-ball cricket, including titles at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. His panel also managed a major transition, as senior players stepped away from Test and T20I cricket.
Source
This story was first reported by Cricbuzz. Additional details from PTI and other reports. TryBall will update this article when the BCCI makes an official announcement.