India’s selection committee is set for a change in leadership following Ajit Agarkar’s departure, with a former India spinner emerging as the frontrunner to take over as the country’s next chief selector. According to a PTI report, the candidate was recently appointed interim head of the four-member selection panel and was involved in an important discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of India’s second ODI against the West Indies.
Former spinner in line to take over as Chief Selector
The former India spinner in question is Pragyan Ojha, who is currently serving as the interim head of the selection committee. According to a PTI report on Tuesday, the 39-year-old is likely to take over the position on a full-time basis following Agarkar’s departure.
Ojha was among the four selectors who held a lengthy discussion with Gambhir in Guwahati on Tuesday. Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and RP Singh were also present during the meeting, while outgoing chief selector Agarkar did not attend. The discussion took place at the Barsapara Stadium while the West Indies went through their training session ahead of the second ODI. The Indian team, meanwhile, had a day off after travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Guwahati.
The presence of the entire selection committee during a bilateral series is not a common occurrence. The meeting was understood to have focused on India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand and the squads that need to be finalised for the demanding assignment.
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Selection challenge for New Zealand tour
Ojha’s potential appointment comes at a crucial time for Indian cricket, with the selection committee facing a busy period across all three formats. India are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests during their New Zealand tour from October 22 to November 27.
The tour will begin with a five-match T20I series, with the opening game scheduled to take place in Christchurch on October 22. The ODI series will then begin on November 4, followed by the two-Test series starting in Wellington on November 19.
The selectors will also have to finalise the India A squad for a three-Test tour of New Zealand, which begins on October 24. This adds another important selection assignment to the committee’s workload.
Further, the gap between the ODI and Test legs is particularly tight, with the final ODI scheduled for November 15 in Tauranga and the first Test beginning just four days later in Wellington. As a result, some players selected across both formats could be released early from the ODI squad to begin their Test preparations. Therefore, player workload and availability are expected to be important considerations for the selectors as India navigate the packed schedule.
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