Two former cricketers with roots in Odisha are part of Indian cricket’s most influential selection body, marking an important moment for the state’s sporting identity.
Indian cricket has entered a new phase in its selection setup, and Odisha has a special reason to celebrate. Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has been appointed chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Men’s Selection Committee, while former India opener Shiv Sundar Das continues to serve on the panel.
The development brings two cricketers associated with Odisha into a committee that plays a crucial role in shaping India’s senior men’s teams. Their presence is significant not simply because of their playing careers, but because selection decisions can influence the future of Indian cricket, from identifying emerging talent to building squads for major international tournaments.
For Odisha, a state that has produced several notable cricketers but continues to work towards a stronger position in the national cricketing landscape, the development offers an opportunity to celebrate its sporting contributions on a national stage.
It is also a story that extends beyond Odisha. Cricket followers across India will be watching how the new selection committee approaches team composition, player development and the challenges facing Indian cricket in the coming years.
Pragyan Ojha Takes Charge as BCCI Men’s Chief Selector
Pragyan Ojha has been appointed chairman of the BCCI Men’s Selection Committee following the departure of Ajit Agarkar, who led the panel from July 2023.
The change was announced on October 19, 2026. The Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, conducted the selection process for the vacant position on the committee. Former India spinner Ramesh Powar was selected to join the panel, and Ojha was named chairman on the basis of Test-match seniority.
The five-member committee consists of Pragyan Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Ramesh Powar. The chairman’s position carries considerable responsibility. The selection committee assesses players’ performances, considers team requirements and makes decisions about India’s senior men’s squads in coordination with the wider cricketing structure.
Its decisions are closely followed by supporters, former players, analysts and the media because they can affect a player’s international career and India’s preparations for major competitions. Ojha’s appointment therefore marks an important transition in Indian cricket administration. For Odisha, his elevation to the chairmanship makes the development particularly noteworthy.
Who Is Pragyan Ojha? From International Spinner to Chief Selector
Pragyan Ojha built his reputation as a left-arm orthodox spinner who represented India in Test cricket, One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. During his international career, he played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and six T20Is. He claimed 113 wickets in Tests, establishing himself as a significant bowling option during his time in the national side.
His performances in Test cricket included seven five-wicket hauls, reflecting his ability to take wickets and influence matches over longer periods. Ojha also played in the Indian Premier League, representing franchises including the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. His experience across international cricket, domestic competitions and franchise cricket gave him exposure to different playing conditions and team environments.
His move into selection responsibilities represents a different stage of his cricketing career. Instead of competing on the field, he will now help assess the players who may represent India.
The chief selector must consider more than individual statistics. Team balance, consistency, fitness, playing conditions, role requirements and long-term planning can all influence selection decisions. For a former international cricketer, the challenge is to apply personal experience while evaluating players with different strengths, backgrounds and career trajectories. Ojha’s appointment places him at the centre of these decisions.
Shiv Sundar Das: Odisha’s Former India Opener on the Selection Committee
Shiv Sundar Das is another important name in this story. A former India opening batter associated with Odisha, Das represented the country in Test cricket and One Day Internationals. He played 23 Tests and four ODIs for India, earning recognition as a technically disciplined opening batter.
Opening the batting in international cricket demands patience, concentration and the ability to handle quality fast bowling. The role can be particularly demanding in Test matches, where a batter must negotiate the new ball and give the middle order a stable platform.
Das’s playing career provided him with first-hand experience of the pressures associated with representing India. He joined the BCCI Men’s Selection Committee in 2023 and continues on the reconstituted panel alongside Ojha and the other selectors.
His presence is especially meaningful for Odisha cricket. Having a former India international with an understanding of the state’s cricketing environment involved in national selection creates an important connection between regional cricket and the wider Indian game.
That does not mean regional origin determines selection decisions. The committee must evaluate players on merit and the requirements of the national team. Nevertheless, experience gained through different domestic and international cricket environments can contribute to a broader understanding of the game.
Why This Is Important for Odisha Cricket
Odisha has a passionate cricket following, but the state’s cricketing ambitions extend beyond supporting the Indian team. Developing more players capable of competing at the highest level remains an important objective. The presence of Pragyan Ojha and Shiv Sundar Das in the BCCI’s senior men’s selection structure gives Odisha a notable connection to national cricket administration. Their achievements can also provide encouragement to young cricketers who aspire to move from local competitions into domestic cricket and, eventually, the international game.
For an aspiring player, the journey usually involves years of practice, competitive performances, physical conditioning and opportunities to demonstrate ability at higher levels. Talent alone is rarely enough; access to coaching, facilities, competitive matches and consistent development also matters.
Odisha’s cricket ecosystem can benefit from continued investment in these areas. Better grassroots programmes, strong district competitions, effective coaching and opportunities for young players to face quality opposition are all important parts of building a sustainable pathway.
The appointments of Ojha and Das do not automatically guarantee more Odisha players in the Indian team. However, they give the state a reason to celebrate its association with two experienced cricketers working within the national selection structure. Their roles also underline an important point: contributions to Indian cricket are not limited to the players who take the field. Experienced former cricketers can continue to serve the game through selection, coaching, mentoring and administration.
What Does a BCCI Selection Committee Actually Do?
The BCCI’s Men’s Selection Committee is responsible for selecting India’s senior men’s teams within the board’s cricketing framework.
Its work involves assessing domestic and international performances, considering team requirements and evaluating which players are best suited to upcoming assignments. Selectors must weigh several factors when making decisions:
Current form: Recent performances can help indicate whether a player is ready for international competition.
Consistency: Sustained performance over time can be more informative than one outstanding match.
Team balance: A squad needs the right combination of batters, fast bowlers, spinners, all-rounders and wicketkeepers.
Fitness and availability: Players must be able to meet the physical and scheduling demands of international cricket.
Conditions and opposition: Different tours and tournaments may require different combinations of players.
Long-term planning: Selectors must balance immediate results with the development of players who could contribute in future years.
These responsibilities make the committee one of the most closely watched bodies in Indian cricket.
Its decisions are often debated because millions of supporters have opinions about which players deserve opportunities. The challenge is to make selections that serve the team’s needs while maintaining a consistent and credible process.
With Ojha as chairman and Das continuing as a member, the reconstituted committee will face the same high expectations that accompany Indian cricket’s international standing.
A National Opportunity, Not Just an Odisha Story
It would be easy to frame these appointments solely as a regional achievement. However, their importance is wider. Indian cricket is supported by players from different states, domestic associations and cricketing backgrounds. A selection committee must identify talent from across that system and assemble teams capable of competing against the world’s strongest sides.
Ojha’s appointment to the chairmanship and Das’s continued presence place two former international cricketers with Odisha connections within that national decision-making structure.
Their responsibilities are not limited to one state. They will be involved in decisions affecting India’s senior men’s cricket programme as a whole.
For national readers, the key question is how the new committee will approach selection, maintain consistency and prepare Indian teams for future challenges. For Odisha readers, there is an additional source of pride: two cricketers associated with their state have reached influential positions in the country’s cricketing structure.
Both perspectives can coexist. Regional representation is worth celebrating, while the ultimate responsibility remains to select the strongest possible Indian teams.
What Lies Ahead for Indian Cricket?
The new committee will be judged by its decisions and the performance of the teams it helps assemble. Supporters will watch how it handles competition for places, the emergence of young players and the balance between experienced internationals and new talent.
The chairmanship also brings expectations for Ojha personally. His international experience will be valuable, but selection work requires a different set of skills, including collective decision-making, communication and the ability to assess players objectively.
Das and the other committee members will also contribute their own playing and cricketing experience to the process. Ultimately, the success of the panel will depend on the quality of its evaluations and the strength of the teams selected under its guidance.
For Odisha, this is a moment to recognise the careers of two cricketers who have progressed from playing the game to helping shape its future at the national level.
Their appointments are a reminder that Indian cricket’s story is built by talent from across the country, and that the contribution of regional cricketing communities extends well beyond the boundary ropes.
Odisha’s Cricketing Connection Reaches a New Level
Pragyan Ojha’s appointment as BCCI Men’s Selection Committee chairman, alongside Shiv Sundar Das’s continued role as a selector, gives Odisha a notable presence in Indian cricket’s decision-making structure.
It is an achievement worth celebrating, but also an opportunity to look forward. The larger ambition should be to build stronger grassroots systems, provide young cricketers with better opportunities and help more players from Odisha compete successfully at the national level.
For Indian cricket, the focus will be on the committee’s decisions and the teams it selects. For Odisha, the moment offers pride, inspiration and renewed attention to the state’s place in the country’s cricketing journey.
The next chapter will be written not just through appointments, but through the players selected, the opportunities created and the results achieved on the field.
Disclaimer
This article is published for informational and entertainment purposes. The appointments and committee composition described here are based on publicly available reports as of October 20, 2026. Selection responsibilities and committee membership may change through future BCCI announcements. Odisha Katha does not claim affiliation with the BCCI or any of the individuals mentioned. Readers should refer to official BCCI communications for authoritative updates.
