Ajit Agarkar Declines Extension As BCCI Chief Selector, Parthiv Patel Likely To Replace Him
Ajit Agarkar is set to step down as chairman of the BCCI men's senior selection committee, with his contract due to end on October 4, and former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.
Agarkar has reportedly told BCCI officials that he does not want an extension, making the recent selection meeting for India's upcoming West Indies series potentially his last in charge. His departure, however, has not yet been formally announced by the Board.
The BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Friday authorised its office-bearers to take a decision on the future of the senior selection committee. This leaves the Board with the choice of extending Agarkar's tenure or moving ahead with his replacement.
Parthiv Patel could be the new chief selector of the BCCI, with his name reportedly circulating within the Board for several months. The former India wicketkeeper is considered a strong contender if Agarkar's tenure ends. If appointed, Patel would bring 25 Tests of international experience to the selection panel, making him its most experienced member by Test appearances.
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is another name reportedly being considered, while other reports have also mentioned Zaheer Khan in the succession discussions.
Agarkar took charge in July 2023 and his tenure coincided with major white-ball success. India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final before winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. The team, however, also endured difficult Test results, including a 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand and a 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
One of the key selection issues during the latter part of Agarkar's tenure has been Rohit Sharma's ODI future, with the veteran batter continuing to feature in India's plans despite speculation over his place ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Reports have linked the issue to tensions within the BCCI, although those accounts are based on sources and should be treated as such.
The final decision on Agarkar's successor now rests with the BCCI office-bearers.