BCCI secretary declines to confirm Ajit Agarkar’s future after AGM in Mumbai
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday declined to give a definitive answer on Ajit Agarkar's future as chairman of the senior selection committee after the Board's 95th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, saying "We still have fifteen days to go" before Agarkar's contract expires on October 4. Saikia told reporters the Board would take a decision at an appropriate time and that there had been no discussion on any individual at the AGM.
Agarkar chaired what the Board described as his final selection meeting of the current term in New Delhi on Wednesday, when squads for India's upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies were chosen. The AGM did not resolve whether Agarkar would receive an extension or be replaced, instead authorising the Board's office-bearers to decide on the future of the senior selection committee.
Saikia repeated the full outline of the Board's short-term position in his comments to media: "We still have fifteen days to go. Fifteen days is a long time in the world of cricket. We will take a decision in appropriate time and we will let you know about it. Today, there was no discussion on any individual," Saikia said.
The uncertainty over the senior selection committee arrives as India moves into an important phase of its white-ball schedule, with the next major assignment identified by the Board as the home series against New Zealand and preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup set to gather pace. The BCCI highlighted those forthcoming commitments when asked about timing for selection decisions.
Agarkar's absence from a BCCI review meeting earlier this month had added to speculation about his position; Saikia said at the time that Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice and could not join online because of connectivity issues, and that there had been no discussion about changes to the selection committee at that meeting.
The Board has also opened the process to appoint a new junior selection committee and received a large response to its call for applications. "We have received a large number of applicants for junior selection committee, which we will give to our cricket committee who will be competent to select the selectors. We will be trying to complete the process in next 10-15 days," Saikia said, adding that the junior panel will be formed after the Cricket Advisory Committee completes interviews.
Saikia confirmed that Subhadeep Ghosh has been appointed India's men's fielding coach on a short-term basis following the departure of T Dilip. "Indian men's team fielding coach (Subhadeep Ghosh) has been appointed for a short time but we will be assessing his performance (for a longer stint)," Saikia said, and indicated that his performance would be assessed after the New Zealand tour, after which the BCCI could decide on his continuation through the 2027 ODI World Cup.
