Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has not submitted an application for the vacant position on the BCCI‘s Senior Men’s Selection Committee, strengthening the prospect of Pragyan Ojha continuing as Chairman for the remainder of his tenure, according to a report by PTI.
Patel had emerged as a leading candidate to replace Ajit Agarkar as the West Zone representative, with his potential appointment also raising expectations of a change in the committee’s leadership. However, the application window closed on October 14 without his entry, leaving the BCCI‘s search for a new selector unresolved.
Pragyan Ojha’s position strengthens
Ojha, who represents South Zone on the selection committee, has been serving as interim Chairman following Agarkar’s departure. His position is supported by his greater number of Test appearances compared with the other existing members of the panel.
With Patel absent from the applicant pool, Ojha is now expected to retain the chairmanship for the rest of his term rather than hand over the responsibility to a newly appointed West Zone selector.
The possibility of a change has not been completely eliminated, however, because the BCCI could still extend the application period. A BCCI source told PTI: “Don’t know if the BCCI would extend the deadline, but Parthiv had not applied till 5 pm on October 14. The situation could change if the deadline is extended or he changes his mind.”
Alternative candidates for the West Zone vacancy
Former India spinner and women’s national team coach Ramesh Powar is among the names being considered for the vacant senior selector position. Powar had previously been expected to take charge of the Junior Men’s Selection Committee, but the developments surrounding Patel’s non-application could open another possibility.
Former India wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe has also emerged as a potential candidate. Both Dighe and Powar had applied during an earlier recruitment process for selectors, although their participation in the current application round has not been confirmed.
The BCCI is seeking a replacement from West Zone, the region previously represented by Agarkar. With relatively few prominent eligible candidates identified, the board’s options could depend on whether it proceeds with the existing applicant pool or reopens the process.
BCCI selection role and eligibility requirements
The recruitment process began on October 6, with applications scheduled to close at 5 pm IST on October 14.
Under the BCCI’s eligibility criteria, applicants must have played at least seven Tests, 30 first-class matches, or a combination of 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches. They must also have retired from cricket at least five years before applying.
The successful candidate will help select India’s teams across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, while identifying emerging players and strengthening the national talent pipeline. Responsibilities also include scouting domestic and international cricket, attending team meetings, travelling for matches and submitting quarterly performance evaluations to the BCCI Apex Council.
Patel’s existing commitments
Patel is expected to remain involved with Gujarat Titans’ coaching staff and continue his broadcasting assignments rather than join the BCCI selection panel.
His absence from the application process leaves Ojha positioned to retain the senior committee’s leadership, while the outstanding West Zone appointment remains dependent on the BCCI’s next decision regarding the recruitment process.
