Ajit Agarkar Set to Step Down as Chief Selector After West Indies Series

Ajit Agarkar’s position as chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s senior selection committee has come under renewed uncertainty, with the upcoming selection meeting for India’s home white-ball series against the West Indies potentially becoming his final meeting in the role. Agarkar had hoped his contract would be extended after overseeing a successful period in Indian white-ball cricket, but the continued absence of communication from the BCCI leadership has raised questions about his future.

Agarkar was appointed chairman of the selection committee in July 2023. During his tenure, India won the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 as well as the Champions Trophy in 2025. India also remained unbeaten in their Asia Cup campaign in Dubai last year. Their only defeats in ICC white-ball competitions during this period came in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and against South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

His tenure also coincided with a major transition in Indian cricket’s Test setup following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin last year. Although Agarkar’s initial contract expired in June, the BCCI extended it until October 4. The former India pacer had reportedly sought a further extension until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in October next year.

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However, according to a PTI report, none of the BCCI’s senior decision-makers has contacted Agarkar regarding a possible extension. The report said the West Indies selection meeting could consequently be his last as chairman. It also stated that Agarkar had told people close to him that he may send a “thank you” email to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia after the West Indies squad selection, acknowledging the opportunity to serve for three years.

A BCCI review meeting held in Mumbai earlier this month was reportedly expected to include a discussion about Agarkar’s future, but he was absent due to personal reasons and because the meeting had been called at short notice. Saikia later confirmed that Agarkar was out of station and could not participate either in person or online because of the location where he was present.

Speculation over Agarkar’s future has also been linked to reported differences between the selectors and BCCI officials over Rohit Sharma’s prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup. While the selection committee is believed to have indicated that Rohit does not fit into its long-term plans, Saikia has publicly expressed support for the former captain on more than one occasion. Amid the uncertainty, former India batter VVS Laxman, currently heading the Centre of Excellence, has been mentioned as a possible successor to Agarkar.

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