Former India cricketers Rudra Pratap Singh and Pragyan Ojha are reportedly set to be appointed as new members of the BCCI's senior national selection panel, filling the vacancies left by Subroto Banerjee (Central Zone) and S. Sharath (South Zone). The duo, if confirmed, will join the panel led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar. This move comes after the BCCI invited applications last month, with sources indicating a limited response from other high-profile former cricketers.
Rudra Pratap Singh, a left-arm fast bowler who was a key member of India's 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, is expected to join the committee representing the Central Zone. Singh, who will turn 40 this December, has a wealth of experience, having played 14 Tests, 58 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India. He was also a part of the Gujarat team that won the Ranji Trophy in 2016-17. His inclusion will bring a much-needed fast-bowling perspective to the panel.
Pragyan Ojha, a left-arm spinner, is the clear choice for the South Zone selector position. With an impressive record of 113 wickets in 24 Tests, Ojha was primarily a Test specialist for India. His last international game was a memorable one, as he took a 10-wicket haul in Sachin Tendulkar's farewell match in 2013. Ojha, who retired in 2020, will bring his extensive knowledge of spin bowling and domestic cricket to the committee.
The selection of the two former players will be finalized by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which is comprised of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshna Naik. The CAC is responsible for shortlisting and interviewing candidates before submitting their recommendations to the BCCI office bearers. The eligibility criteria for the role required candidates to have a minimum of seven Tests or 30 First-Class matches and to have retired from all forms of cricket at least five years ago.
With their appointments expected to take effect next month, RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha will be joining the selection panel at a crucial time for Indian cricket. Their on-field experience from different eras of the game is expected to be invaluable as the team prepares for upcoming bilateral series and major ICC tournaments. Both players are expected to contribute significantly to the process of identifying and nurturing future talent for the country.
