Agarkar Out As Chief Selector? BCCI Has Two Former India Stars In The Race

Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the BCCI senior men’s selection committee appears to be nearing its end, with former India cricketers Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha emerging as the leading contenders to replace him, according to sources cited by NDTV.

Agarkar’s contract is set to end this month, and while there had been speculation that the former India fast bowler could be retained until the 2027 ODI World Cup, sources now indicate that an extension is unlikely. The development comes ahead of the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for Friday.

Agarkar may already have chaired his final selection meeting. On Wednesday, the selection panel finalised India’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, along with the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy. Agarkar headed the meeting.

The reported change comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his position. Earlier this month, Agarkar’s absence from an important BCCI meeting in Mumbai had triggered speculation about his future. At the time, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said Agarkar was out of town and could not attend the meeting.

There has also been considerable discussion over the handling of Rohit Sharma’s ODI future. Reports had suggested that Rohit was initially told he was not part of the selectors’ plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, after scoring a commanding 138 against England, the veteran batter was picked for India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. Saikia had also publicly said Rohit could continue playing as long as he remained part of the selectors’ plans.

If Agarkar’s exit is confirmed, Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha are understood to be the leading names for the position. Both former India players are three-time IPL winners. Ojha is already part of the current selection setup, while Parthiv has been associated with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Agarkar took charge of the selection committee in July 2023, replacing Chetan Sharma. During his tenure, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, while also reaching the 2023 ODI World Cup final. His period in charge has also coincided with a major transition involving several senior players.

For now, the BCCI has not formally announced Agarkar’s replacement. The coming days, particularly the AGM, could provide greater clarity on who will oversee India’s selection plans heading into another important phase of the international calendar.