Former India star tipped to become chairman of selectors [Source: AFP]Former Indian cricketer Ramesh Powar has emerged as a leading candidate to become the chairman of the BCCI junior national selection committee. The BCCI has already sought applications from interesting candidates.Interestingly, Powar has been tied with Indian cricketing affairs for the past many decades, either as a player or as coach. Ramesh Powar likely to become selection committee chairman for India's junior teamJust days after Ajit Agarkar reportedly confirmed his decision of stepping down as BCCI national team’s chief selector, fellow ex-Indian bowler Ramesh Powar has emerged as a leading candidate to become the chairman of the BCCI junior national selection committee.Also Read- VVS Laxman At Loggerheads With Gambhir, Shubman Gill Over This India StarAs reported by the Indian Express, Powar is also interested for the role after giving up his Gujarat coaching. He has also previously worked as head coach of the Indian Women’s cricket team, but had to vacate his position to join the NCA as spin-bowling coach under the guidance of VVS Laxman.What is the responsibility of junior selection committeeIf Ramesh Powar indeed gets selected as chairman of the BCCI junior selection committee, he will have a host of responsibilities.For starters, the committee will be responsible for selecting all age-group Indian cricket teams, including U19 groups for away tours or training camps. The committee will also schedule and organize several BCCI junior tournaments and overseas junior tours, and will handle all matters related to the conduct and administration of those competitions.Additionally, the junior selection committee will have to promote strong ethical values and awareness about drugs and match-fixing by getting senior Indian players to interact with the next generation of cricketers.It is worth noting that the India U19 won the 2026 ICC U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe earlier this year, and will start out the 2028 edition as defending champions. With roughly 15-18 months still remaining for the premier multi-nation event, the junior selection committee will be required to prepare and mold rising Indian stars to develop a strong talent pool in the national level. Ramesh Powar’s journey with Indian cricketRamesh Powar has served as head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team in two separate stints. At first, he was appointed as national coach back in mid-2018 on an interim basis. It is worth noting that as per reports, he had a fallout with legendary Indian batter Mithali Raj during the 2018 ICC T20 World Cup. He became India’s coach once again in May 2021 as a replacement for Woorkeri Raman.In domestic cricket, he has served the Mumbai and Gujarat cricket teams in different coaching capacities, and was also appointed as the spin bowling coach of the NCA in Bengaluru back in late 2022. As a Team India player, the Mumbai veteran played two Tests and 31 ODI matches. He was part of the Indian team that clinched a historic ODI series win on Pakistani soil back in early 2004. Also Read- Bangladesh Test Squad vs Afghanistan Announced; Nahid Rana Excluded
