Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the board will wait until after October 4 to decide on a replacement for chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The former India bowler has declined a contract extension, and the BCCI will have to make a change to the selection committee.
India have several crucial assignments ahead, including the upcoming home series against New Zealand, the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector will end on October 4, with his successor set to oversee squad selection during an important period for Indian cricket.
BCCI Opens Up On Ajit Agarkar’s Replacement
Devajit Saikia addressed the speculation over the vacant position during an interaction with PTI Videos on Wednesday, September 23. The BCCI secretary said that the board has enough time to make a decision.
“As far as Ajit Agarkar is concerned, his tenure is going to be over on 4th of October and we have sufficient time till 4th. We are going to take a decision regarding the vacant position which will be there after 4th of October. Once any decision is taken by BCCI, we will definitely announce it in public domain,” he said
The BCCI is not expected to rush the appointment process. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has reportedly emerged as a frontrunner for the position. The new selection committee will also have to manage the transition involving senior players.
Ajit Agarkar’s Tenure Marked by Selection Challenges
Ajit Agarkar took charge as India’s chief selector in July 2023 and oversaw a period of mixed results across formats. India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and another T20 World Cup in 2026, while also finishing runners-up at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
However, India’s Test results declined during the same period. The team suffered a 0-3 home series defeat against New Zealand in 2024, lost 0-2 at home to South Africa in 2025, and went down in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
During Agarkar’s tenure, a second-string Indian squad won gold at the 2023 Asian Games, while the BCCI opted for a full-strength team for the 2026 edition in Japan.
They decided to send a full-strength side to the Asian Games despite a clash with India’s three-match home ODI series against the <a href="https://cricket.international/where-to-watch-1st-odi-zimbabwe-women-vs-west-indies-women-live-streaming-details/" title="Where to Watch 1st ODI – Zimbabwe Women vs West Indies Women? Live Streaming Details”>West Indies. India are scheduled to begin their Asian Games campaign with a quarter-final on September 28.
Rohit Sharma and VVS Laxman Issues During Agarkar’s Tenure
The final period of Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector was also reportedly affected by disagreements over selection and player management. During India’s July tour of England, the selection committee reportedly discussed moving away from Rohit Sharma as an option for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rohit reportedly contacted a senior BCCI administrator after the discussions, while the board publicly backed the former India captain. Although Rohit continued to score runs after returning during the 2025 Australia tour, concerns reportedly remained over his starts.
There were also reported differences between Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman. The disagreements reportedly involved the rehabilitation of injured players and the scheduling of India A fixtures.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
