How small skirmishes culminated in Ajit Agarkar’s departure from India’s selection committee: Report

Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the men’s selection committee is inching towards an end. The former cricketer’s run saw India win several championship titles, including the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Champions Trophy 2025 and Asian Cup 2025.

However, his tenure was also mired in multiple controversies, and some of India’s top cricketers — Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma (Tests and T20I) and R Ashwin (all formats) — announced their retirement during his tenure.

Agarkar became chief selector in July 2023 and has enjoyed a stint of over three years. While his contract could be extended for a year, the BCCI does not seem interested in going forward.

When did Agarkar’s disagreements with BCCI begin?

According to The Telegraph, the disagreement between Agarkar and the BCCI began during the second selection meeting when the chief selector opposed Jasprit Bumrah being made captain for the Ireland tour. The veteran fast bowler was returning to action after a lengthy hiatus as part of the team’s preparations for the 2023 World Cup.

The report added that Agarkar wanted Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain for the tour to reduce Bumrah’s workload. But the BCCI intervened to favour the pace spearhead. They argued that Bumrah was ‘keen to lead’ and should be given the opportunity.

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The Ireland tour selection was the beginning, as both parties have had such instances in the past three years. One of the most infamous incidents was the Rohit Sharma saga at Lord’s, which led to BCCI’s intervention to safeguard the Hitman’s future in ODI cricket.

Agarkar ‘not keen on carrying on’

The report also claimed that the BCCI was not inclined to Agarkar’s continuation, but was ‘dilly-dallying’ on its intentions. The Rohit-Lords saga was the final nail in the coffin, and after their intervention, Agarkar informed the Board that he was ‘not keen on carrying on.’

The West Indies squad announcement is said to be Agarkar’s last meeting as chief selector. Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha have now emerged as frontrunners to succeed Agarkar as chairman of the selection committee.