BCCI invites applications to fill men's selection committee vacancy after Ajit Agarkar's tenure ends
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday invited applications for one position on its men's selection committee as it begins the process to replace Ajit Agarkar after his tenure ended on October 4. Agarkar, who took over as chairman of the senior men's selection committee in July 2023, did not seek an extension, according to reports.
The board has not issued a separate statement regarding Agarkar's departure but has advertised one vacancy on the five-member committee. Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is serving as the interim head of the selection panel; the other members are Shiv Sunder Das, RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. Ojha, who has played 24 Tests for India, is described in the advertisement as being in line to become the next chief selector.
Under the BCCI constitution, the chairman of the selection committee is determined by Test experience: if a newly appointed selector has played more Tests than the other members he will assume the chair; if not, Ojha, who has the most Test appearances among the current panel, would be elevated to chief selector. The advertisement indicates the new appointment is expected to come from the West Zone, the zone represented by Agarkar.
The BCCI set October 14 as the deadline for applications, requiring submissions by 5pm IST, and said shortlisted candidates will be called for personal interviews after screening. Eligibility criteria specified in the notice require applicants to have played at least seven Tests, or 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches, and to have retired from the game at least five years previously. The board also stated that anyone who has been a member of any Cricket Committee, as defined by its Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, for a cumulative period of five years will not be eligible.
The advertised selector's remit covers selection of the senior national men's teams across Tests, ODIs, T20Is and any other format, and includes identifying talent and developing the national side's bench strength. Additional duties listed in the notice require the member to scout and assess players during domestic and international matches, attend team meetings and travel to watch matches when required, prepare quarterly evaluation reports on team performance for the BCCI Apex Council and address the media on team selection. The committee is also charged with appointing the captain for the national team in each format.
Agarkar's absence from recent proceedings was noted during India's home ODI series against the West Indies: before the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30, head coach Gautam Gambhir met with the four-member committee—Ojha, Das, Ratra and RP Singh attended while Agarkar was absent—and that discussion was understood to have focused on India's upcoming tour of New Zealand and selection requirements, according to the PTI. India completed the three-match ODI series against the West Indies by winning the first two matches and losing the third in New Chandigarh on October 3, with the West Indies winning the final ODI by five wickets and India taking the series 2-1.
The BCCI advertisement launches the formal selection process while Ojha continues as interim head of the committee; the final appointment will determine who ultimately takes charge of the selection panel as India proceeds with preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
