Cricket / Ajit Agarkar to Step Down as Chief Selector, BCCI Eyes Successor

Mumbai, Sep 19: The BCCI is preparing for a leadership change in its selection committee as Ajit Agarkar has formally informed the board that he will step down from the chairman’s role once his current term ends.

“In his communication, Agarkar has cited his previous discussions with the board in February, when he had first alerted top decision makers to look for alternatives at the end of his current term,” a BCCI official told HT. Agarkar’s tenure concludes on October 4.

At the BCCI Annual General Meeting on Friday, office bearers were authorised to take the matter forward. Secretary Devajit Saikia remained cautious when asked about Agarkar’s future.

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“We still have 15 days to go, a long time in the world of cricket. We will make a decision at the appropriate time,” he said.

Agarkar, who assumed the role in July 2023, is eligible for a one‑year extension. However, differences between the board and the Agarkar‑led committee over former captain Rohit Sharma’s ODI future may have accelerated his decision. Agarkar notably skipped the recent BCCI review meeting.

During his three‑year tenure, Agarkar oversaw a crucial transition. His committee phased out Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, handing the captaincy to Shubman Gill. In T20Is, the panel made a bold call by appointing Shreyas Iyer as captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav after his form dipped despite India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph.

Unless reconciliation occurs, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel is seen as the frontrunner to succeed Agarkar.

Current selector Pragyan Ojha is also in contention, particularly if the board opts for a less‑capped Test player from the West Zone. As per BCCI rules, the most capped Test player in the committee assumes chairmanship. Patel has 25 Tests to his name, while Ojha has 24.

The next few days will determine whether Agarkar continues until the 2027 World Cup or makes way for a new face to lead India’s selection panel.