Pragyan Ojha is set to play an important role in India's squad selection for the upcoming tour of New Zealand after Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chairman of the senior men's selection committee came to an end.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not yet announced a permanent successor to Agarkar. In the meantime, Ojha is serving as the interim head of the four member senior men's selection committee and is expected to chair the meeting where India's squads for the New Zealand tour will be discussed and finalised.
The selection meeting is expected to take place shortly, with the selectors preparing to choose squads across multiple formats. According to reports, the committee is expected to finalise the T20I, ODI and Test squads for the senior Indian team, in addition to an India A squad for its tour of New Zealand. A meeting planned for Monday was reportedly delayed while the selectors awaited fitness information concerning fast bowler Prasidh Krishna.
India's tour of New Zealand is scheduled to begin on October 22 with a five match T20I series. The T20I leg will be followed by a five match ODI series before the tour concludes with two Tests. The ODI series will be particularly important because India are building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The five match ODI series is scheduled to begin on November 4, while the two Test matches are scheduled to start later in November. The first Test is scheduled to be played in Wellington from November 19, with the second Test forming the final part of the tour.
The selection process comes at an important stage for Indian cricket. The New Zealand tour will provide the team management with an opportunity to assess players across all three formats while also managing workloads ahead of a busy international schedule.
The ODI series will receive particular attention because India are preparing for the 2027 World Cup. The selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to assess the balance of the ODI squad, identify players for important roles and determine which combinations can be developed ahead of the global tournament.
The Test squad will also be closely watched. India's two Tests in New Zealand will form part of the team's wider World Test Championship campaign. The selectors will therefore need to balance the requirements of the red ball team with those of the limited overs squads.
Another important issue will be player availability. The ODI series is scheduled to finish only a few days before the Test series begins. This could create challenges for players who are selected in both squads. Reports indicate that the management may consider releasing some Test players from the ODI group early so they can begin their preparation for the longer format.
The India A programme will add another layer to the selection process. India A are scheduled to play three Tests in New Zealand, with the first match beginning on October 24. The selectors will therefore have to assess players for the senior team while also identifying cricketers who can benefit from exposure at the India A level.
The selection meeting could also provide opportunities for players who have performed strongly in domestic cricket. Bengal pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep have reportedly entered the discussion for the Test squad after impressive performances in the Irani Cup. Mukesh claimed eight wickets in the match, while Akash Deep took six wickets, strengthening their cases for selection.
Prasidh Krishna's fitness is another factor being monitored by the selectors. Reports indicate that the selection meeting was delayed while the team management waited for his latest fitness assessment. His availability could influence the composition of India's pace attack for the New Zealand Tests and potentially the limited overs matches as well.
Ojha's role has gained importance following Agarkar's departure. The former left arm spinner played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and six T20Is for India during his international career. He took 144 international wickets and last represented India in 2013. He has now moved into a selection role and is currently heading the four member panel on an interim basis.
The BCCI's decision on Agarkar's permanent replacement remains important. Until a new chairman is appointed, the selection committee will continue to function with four members. Reports have indicated that Ojha could be considered for the permanent position, but there has been no final official confirmation that he will become the full time chairman.
The timing of the leadership change makes the New Zealand selection meeting particularly significant. The incoming selection leadership will have to make decisions that could influence India's plans for the next year, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
India's squad selection will also provide an indication of the team's approach to workload management. With T20Is, ODIs, Tests and India A matches taking place within a relatively short period, the selectors will have to carefully manage player availability and ensure that important players remain fit for the most significant assignments.
The New Zealand conditions could also influence selection decisions. India's Test squad may require a balanced pace attack, while the limited overs teams could be assessed with the 2027 World Cup in mind. The selectors will have to consider current form, fitness, experience and long term team requirements before finalising the squads.
For Ojha, leading the selection meeting represents an important responsibility during a transitional period. His immediate task will be to work with Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and R P Singh to finalise the squads in consultation with the team management.
The New Zealand tour is expected to be an important test of India's squad depth. With five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests on the schedule, the selectors will have several opportunities to assess established players as well as emerging options.
The final squads will also provide clues about India's plans for the months ahead. The ODI selections in particular could indicate how the team intends to build towards the 2027 World Cup, while the Test selections could shape India's approach to the next phase of the World Test Championship.
For now, Pragyan Ojha is expected to oversee the selection process as the BCCI manages the transition following Agarkar's exit. The permanent appointment of the next chairman remains pending, but India's preparations for the New Zealand tour are moving forward.
