Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 22: Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is likely to be inducted into the Ajit Agarkar-led men’s selection committee, according to a report. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recently invited applications for two vacancies in the panel, with the deadline set for September 10.

While the BCCI has not specified which zones the new members will represent, reports suggest that the vacancies are from the Central and South Zones. Ojha is tipped to replace S Sharath from the South Zone, as the latter has completed his term. The Central Zone replacement is yet to be identified.

The current selection committee comprises chairman Ajit Agarkar, SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra and S Sharath. From the previous term, Sharath and SS Das represented the South and Central Zones respectively. With Sharath’s tenure now over, Ojha is expected to step in, while clarity on the Central Zone position is awaited.

As per BCCI’s eligibility criteria, applicants must have played a minimum of seven Test matches or 30 first-class games, or at least 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches.

“The contracts of selectors are renewed annually. We have not yet identified which selectors will be replaced, but that process will be undertaken soon,” a BCCI official told PTI.

The Agarkar-led panel recently finalised the squads for next month’s Asia Cup. Ojha’s inclusion, if confirmed, will bring in the experience of a former international who has represented India across formats.