BCCI weighing extension of Ajit Agarkar’s term as India chief selector as September approaches

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is debating whether to extend Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chairman of the men’s selection committee in India as he approaches the completion of a three-year term in September 2026.

Agarkar became chairman of the India men’s selection committee in 2023 and his period in charge has coincided with a strong run in white-ball tournaments, with India winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, while finishing as finalists at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. India are also entering a busy phase of limited-overs action over the next few months, increasing the selection committee’s workload.

Aaj Tak journalist Nitin Kumar Srivastav reported that Agarkar’s tenure will be discussed by the BCCI and that he is eligible for a one-year extension beyond September. Some reports have suggested the board has an interest in retaining him, while other reports have questioned an extension owing to a number of controversial selection decisions during his three-year spell.

During Agarkar’s time as chairman, the committee oversaw several high-profile retirements and returns: Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their surprise retirement from the longest format of the game, and the Agarkar-led committee required Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to return to domestic action to retain ODI places. The selection panel has also managed multiple leadership changes, including Shubman Gill taking over as India’s Test captain and Rohit Sharma being removed from the ODI captaincy.

The committee’s handling of the shortest format included Suryakumar Yadav winning a T20 World Cup and subsequently being passed over for captaincy in that format. Those personnel shifts and selection choices have contributed to debate within the board about the long-term combinations across formats.

Reports have listed possible alternatives to Agarkar, adding uncertainty over his reappointment, though recent coverage has generally favoured his retention. With September approaching, the board’s discussion will decide whether Agarkar remains as chief selector or is replaced ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Agarkar had replaced Chetan Sharma as chairman of the national selection committee; he played his last international match for India in September 2007 and announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket on October 16, 2013.