Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh join Indian men's selection committee

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has undergone a major reshuffle following its Annual General Meeting (AGM), with major appointments both in administration and team management. Former India cricketers Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh have officially joined the senior men’s selection committee, while Mithun Manhas has been elected unopposed as the new BCCI president, succeeding Roger Binny.

The AGM, held in Mumbai, confirmed wide-ranging decisions. While Ajit Agarkar continues as chairman

of the senior men’s selection panel, the inclusion of Ojha and Singh replaces outgoing selectors Subroto Banerjee (Central Zone) and S Sharath (South Zone).

Sharath will now take over as chairman of the junior selection committee to strengthen India’s grassroots talent. Alongside this, Delhi’s Amita Sharma has been appointed chairperson of the women’s selection committee, joined by Sulakshana Naik and Shravanti Naidu.

Mithun Manhas elected as new BCCI president

At the administrative level, Manhas’ appointment as president headlines the changes, accompanied by Rajeev Shukla as vice-president, Devajit Saikia as secretary, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as joint-secretary, and A Raghuram Bhat as treasurer.

Both Ojha and Singh bring vast experience to their new roles. RP Singh was important in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup win under MS Dhoni. Across his career, he featured in 14 Tests, 58 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming 124 wickets. In the IPL, his standout season came in 2009 when he won the Purple Cap with 23 wickets for Deccan Chargers, helping them lift the trophy.

On the other hand, Pragyan Ojha, featured in 24 Tests, bagging 113 wickets, including a memorable 10-wicket haul in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test at Wankhede in 2013. He also represented India in 18 ODIs and six T20Is, and was a consistent performer in the IPL, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker for Deccan Chargers in their 2009 title run. The AGM also approved a crucial policy decision regarding the IPL, which states that no U16 player will be eligible to feature in the league unless he has played at least one Ranji Trophy match for his state team.