Gambhir thanks Ajit Agarkar as BCCI opens search for successor
Gautam Gambhir publicly thanked outgoing men's selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar on X on Tuesday after the BCCI invited applications for Agarkar's successor, statements released on October 7, 2026 in Mumbai said.
Gambhir posted on X on Tuesday morning to acknowledge Agarkar's contribution to a successful period for India. He wrote: "Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours !! https://t.co/gYQN0fea8X".
The BCCI issued its own tribute in the evening, thanking Agarkar for his service as chairman. The board wrote: "Thank you, Mr Ajit Agarkar @imAagarkar, for your commitment, conviction and contribution as Chairman of the Men's Selection Committee. Wishing you the very best for the journey ahead." The BCCI also highlighted the trophies won during his tenure, naming three ICC titles, two Asia Cup titles, back-to-back Asian Games gold medals and India's run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Agarkar was appointed chairman in July 2023 and received a contract renewal before his tenure expired on October 4. The BCCI's messages of thanks were issued a day after it formally opened the process to appoint his replacement.
The three ICC trophies Gambhir referenced are listed in the BCCI report as the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. His period as chairman included significant selection decisions as India moved across formats while collecting major silverware.
Agarkar's departure leaves a four-member selection committee in place, with Pragyan Ojha serving as chair on an interim basis. The committee is therefore being overseen temporarily while the BCCI conducts the recruitment process.
The immediate next step is the BCCI's formal appointment process to find Agarkar's successor, which was opened by the board a day after issuing its farewell messages; the selection committee continues under interim chair Pragyan Ojha while that process proceeds.
