Pragyan Ojha is the Frontrunner to Join BCCI's Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar's Selection Panel

Pragyan Ojha’s Cricket Career 

The left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha started his cricket career against Bangladesh in June 2008 when he got a chance to make his ODI debut. Moreover, in the very next year, 2009, he succeeded in making his debut for the Indian team, first in T20 and then in Tests as well. This excellent spin bowler took 113 wickets in 24 Test matches for India, in which he completed his only 10-wicket haul by taking five wickets in both innings against the West Indies in his last Test match in November 2013. Apart from this, he took 21 wickets in 18 matches in ODI, while he was successful in taking 10 wickets in 6 T20 matches.

Ojha made a brilliant impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by representing two franchises: the IPL 2009 title-winning team Deccan Chargers and the five-time IPL champion Mumbai Indians. Throughout his career, he claimed an impressive 89 wickets in just 92 matches, showcasing his skill with an economy rate of 7.36. Moreover, he has also been part of 3 IPL winning teams, one with the Deccan Chargers and 2 for the Mumbai Indians. He retired from international cricket in February 2020.

BCCI Invited Applications for Selection Committee Positions 

After Sridharan Sharath's tenure is over, BCCI's focus is now to fill his vacant position as soon as possible. The current selection committee consists of Ajit Agarkar (chief), SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra and S Sharath. The other members to be replaced are likely to be either SS Das or Subroto Banerjee, as Ratra was appointed the North Zone selector last year. In a press release issued on Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited applications to fill two vacant positions on the senior men's selection committee. The board has invited applications for the two positions while laying down the eligibility criteria. To be eligible, a candidate must have played at least 7 Tests or 30 first-class matches or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches. Additionally, the candidate must have retired from the game at least 5 years ago and must not have been a member of any cricket committee of the BCCI for a total of 5 years.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s Contract Extended 

The BCCI has extended Ajit Agarkar's contract as the chairman of the selection committee till June 2026, following his tenure full of significant achievements. Just two days after unveiling India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, Ajit Agarkar has received a crucial vote of confidence from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with his contract as chairman of selectors being extended till June  2026. The contract extension, which was revealed on Thursday, was reportedly finalised much ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League.

According to a report, the BCCI decided to retain Agarkar a few months ago after being impressed with how he managed the challenging transition period in Indian cricket. Since taking over in June 2023, the Indian pacer has spearheaded a period marked by both success and generational change. Under his leadership, India ended their long drought in ICC events, won the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in early 2025, and also reached the final of the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2023.

Strategic leadership changes have also marred Agarkar's tenure. Under his leadership, the selectors handed Test captaincy to Shubman Gill and gave the reins of the T20 team to Suryakumar Yadav. The team has also had to deal with the gradual retirement of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, with Kohli and Rohit now playing only in ODIs and Ashwin being away from all formats.