Mumbai, October 19: The BCCI announced on October 19 that former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar has been appointed to the men's senior selection committee, and that Pragyan Ojha will chair the committee.

Powar replaces outgoing chairman Ajit Agarkar as the West Zone representative. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, screened and interviewed applicants at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai — the interviews were held on October 15 — and unanimously recommended Powar.

Ojha chairs the panel based on seniority: with 24 Tests, he has the most Test appearances among the five members, and he had been heading the panel on an interim basis since Agarkar's term ended on October 4.

The full five-member committee is: Pragyan Ojha (chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Ramesh Powar.

Powar played 2 Tests and 31 ODIs for India between 2004 and 2007. He later served as head coach of the India women's team — winning an Asia Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal — coached Mumbai and Gujarat, and worked as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

In its statement, the BCCI thanked Agarkar for his commitment and contribution as chairman — a tenure that included three ICC titles, two Asia Cup victories and two Asian Games gold medals.

Sources: BCCI statement (via Cricbuzz); PTI; The Sports Tak.