Ajit Agarkar's Tenure Ends? BCCI Reportedly Begins Search For New Men's Team Chief Selector

Ajit Agarkar’s three-year run at the helm of the senior men’s selection committee is effectively over, with the BCCI now set to begin the search for his replacement after he reportedly decided not to continue beyond his term.

At Friday’s 95th Annual General Meeting, the BCCI gave office-bearers the go-ahead to fill vacancies, following the pattern used recently. Several member representatives present at the AGM told The Hindu that officials said, on the meeting’s margins, the board would begin the search for Agarkar’s replacement.

A BCCI office-bearer, speaking on condition of anonymity, also told The Hindu that Agarkar had already conveyed to the board, shortly before the AGM, that he did not want to stay on as a selector once his term ends on October 4.

Agarkar was unavailable for comment.

Selection Committee Tenure

Agarkar took charge in July 2023.

During his stint, he was involved in several major calls. He elevated Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain in 2024, replacing Hardik Pandya, who was then vice-captain. He also oversaw a period of high-profile Test retirements.

The committee then made another major switch. After India’s Champions Trophy triumph last year, Rohit Sharma was replaced as ODI captain by Shubman Gill. Earlier this year, the selectors also dropped T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar from the squad.

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Friction Behind Scenes

His tenure was not smooth.

Over the past few months, the selection committee and team management clashed with the BCCI Centre of Excellence over how it handled player care and rehab. That dispute now sits behind the move to find Agarkar’s successor.

Tensions rose in July over Rohit’s future. Saikia backed the veteran opener’s place in the ODI set-up in a public statement, and he did so without informing the selection committee, which added to the unease.

After the AGM, Saikia avoided commenting directly on Agarkar’s future. “Today, there was no discussion on any individual,” he said. “We still have 15 days to go. Fifteen days is a long time in the world of cricket. We have 15 days time, we will take a decision at an appropriate time. We will let you know about it.”

Succession Contenders

The replacement process is set to begin.

If the BCCI sticks to its unwritten zonal representation convention, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is likely to emerge as the front-runner for the job.

According to BCCI rules, the selector with the most Test caps chairs the committee.