BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar addressing the press conference. (ANI Photo)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended the tenure of the Chairman of the Men’s Senior Selection Committee Ajit AgarkarThe deal is a year before the start of the 2025 IPL. Agarkar was credited with the Indian team’s victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. A week after India defended their T20 World Cup title at home, the board is understood to have received a request from the former India cricketer to extend his tenure till the 2027 ODI World Cup.TimesofIndia.com has learned that the matter has already been discussed. It remains to be seen whether the BCCI, which has no better option for the role, agrees to Agarkar’s request as they approach a crucial stage in the World Test Championship and begin preparations for next year’s 50-over event. BCCI President Mithan MinhasSecretary Devajit Saikia, and Agarkar did not respond to queries. The story will be updated when they do.Strong murmurs within the BCCI corridors suggest that another former India cricketer from the West Zone was the frontrunner to replace Agarkar, but there has been no concrete progress on that front. Agarkar’s well-timed request, made at a time when the country is basking in the joy of yet another ICC title, leaves the ball firmly in the BCCI’s court.
Whether the board grants Agarkar another extension or begins discussions with a potential candidate remains to be seen.Agarkar has been the chairman of the men’s senior selection committee since June 2023, and India have won three ICC titles, two T20 World Cups and one Champions Trophy during his tenure. However, the Test results have been far from ideal, with India losing back-to-back series at home and losing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This has somewhat dimmed the glow of their white-ball success, where India have lost just two matches out of 33 and also won the 2023 and 2025 editions of the Asia Cup.During his tenure, India have made changes to Tests, ODIs and T20Is, while Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Virat Kohli have announced their retirements in at least one format. While Kohli and Rohit continue to play ODIs, Ashwin has retired from all formats. Whether Kohli and Rohit will participate in the 2027 World Cup is an important question.Both Chairman Agarkar and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir The position of non-commitment has been maintained on this matter.“Look at that [Rohit and Kohli] Agarkar said at the NDTV World Summit 2025 that he is currently part of the squad for Australia. So why only those two? It could be some other young players. [who might miss out on the tournament]”“It’s still a long way off. We’ll see how the team shapes up, but we have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll probably have a better idea of where the team is progressing,” he added.Both Agarkar and Gambhir have struck the same note, repeatedly urging each to “stay in the present”. Now that the selectors seem ready to look ahead to the tournament, it will be interesting to see how the BCCI responds, and what the future holds for two of India’s greatest cricketers.
