Praveen Kumar from Uttar Pradesh has filed an application for a position on the BCCI junior selection committee. The 39-year -old right-arm swing bowler, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2018, is one of several former cricketers who have volunteered following the BCCI’s announcement of five junior selector roles on August 24, 2026.
Before retiring from all formats of cricket in 2018, Kumar represented India in six Test matches, 68 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. He was India’s top wicket-taker during the 2011 tour of England, claiming 15 wickets, including a five-for of 5/106 at Lord’s, and secured 10 wickets across four matches as India triumphed in the 2008 CB Series in Australia.
He hails from the Central Zone, where he is expected to encounter strong competition. Sudeep Tyagi, who represented India in four ODIs and one T20I and served as a selector for Hyderabad last season, has also applied, alongside fellow Uttar Pradesh pacer Ashish Winston Zaidi.
Indian Express quotes Praveen Kumar saying, “Yes, I have applied for the junior selection committee. I have retired, and I wanted to contribute to cricket. I have done coaching before, and I was a selector in UPCA earlier, so I thought of applying.”
Applications for the BCCI opened on August 24, and the new panel will take over from the one led by S Sharath. It has received applications for five positions, each carrying unique responsibilities. The committee will choose age-group teams up to Under-22 to participate in coaching camps and in India’s junior matches against domestic and international opponents, both at home and abroad, across all formats. According to a BCCI press release, it will identify players through domestic and international matches to develop a talent pool and strengthen the bench for junior teams.
Kumar is among several individuals pursuing a spot on the newly formed junior selection committee. From the Central Zone, Sudeep Tyagi who played 4 ODIs and 1 T20I for Indiaand Ashish Winston Zaidi have both filed applications along with Kumar. Among those who have applied are Ramesh Powar, the former India off-spinner from the West Zone, and Manoj Joglekar, the former Mumbai batsman. The BCCI has not yet confirmed a shortlist or disclosed when interviews or final selections will occur.
