BCCI yet to take call on Ajit Agarkar's future as chief selector
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has authorised its office-bearers to take a call on the future of the men’s senior selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar, vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed after the Board’s 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Friday.
The members’ units of the BCCI entrusted the office-bearers with deciding whether Agarkar should be given an extension or whether the Board should begin the process of finding his replacement. The chairman of selectors’ contract is set to end early next month, putting his future at the centre of discussions within the Indian cricket board.
Agarkar’s position has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with his current extension due to expire in September. The board is also considering a further one-year extension, but no final decision has been made yet.
“Arun Singh Dhumal, Majumdar retain IPL governing council posts; AGM authorises office-bearers to take a decision on selectors,” Shukla said after attending the meeting at the BCCI headquarters, leaving the decision on Agarkar’s future open-ended.
Agarkar was appointed chairman of the men’s senior selection committee in July 2023. His tenure is scheduled to end next month, and the BCCI will now have to decide whether to extend his contract or initiate the process of appointing a new chairman.
If the Board opts against an extension, it will not be able to appoint a replacement immediately. The BCCI will first have to advertise the position, conduct interviews and then name the new chairman, meaning the process could take some time.
The decision on Agarkar comes at a significant point for Indian cricket, with the senior selection committee playing a key role in shaping the squad for upcoming assignments and major tournaments.
The BCCI is also looking to fill all five positions in the junior selection committee. The AGM’s authorisation gives the office-bearers the mandate to take decisions on matters concerning the selection committees.
The 95th AGM was attended by representatives of the BCCI’s affiliated state member associations. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, representing the Cricket Association of Bengal, and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad of the Karnataka State Cricket Association were among those present.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas, vice-president Rajeev Shukla, secretary Devajit Saikia, Bengal Cricket Association president Sourav Ganguly and Jharkhand State Cricket Association secretary Saurabh Tiwary were also among the officials who attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association requested the BCCI to consider the city while allotting a few more prominent matches.
The immediate focus, however, will remain on the selection committee, with the BCCI office-bearers now authorised to decide whether Agarkar continues as chairman or makes way for a new incumbent.
HOW INDIA HAVE FARED UNDER AGARKAR
Ajit Agarkar took charge as chairman of India’s senior men’s selection committee in July 2023, succeeding Chetan Sharma.
His tenure has coincided with a period that has brought India significant success in white-ball cricket. India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final in his first few months in the role, finishing runners-up to Australia at home.
The following year brought a major breakthrough as India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, beating South Africa in the final in Barbados to end an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. India followed that up by winning the 2025 Champions Trophy, defeating New Zealand in the final and completing the tournament without a defeat.
There have also been setbacks during Agarkar’s stint. India suffered a 3-0 home Test series defeat to New Zealand in 2024, their first home Test series loss in 12 years. Their subsequent Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia also ended in disappointment, with India losing the five-Test series 3-1.
Agarkar’s tenure has therefore included major ICC titles in limited-overs cricket, alongside challenging results in Test cricket as India underwent several significant changes to their squad and leadership.
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