VVS Laxman emerges as frontrunner to replace Ajit Agarkar as India chief selector

Ajit Agarkar’s future as chief selector of the Indian men’s team is reportedly in doubt within the BCCI, with media reports on August 5, 2026 saying the board is not keen on extending his tenure and naming VVS Laxman as the frontrunner to replace him ahead of the BCCI Annual General Meeting scheduled for September. Agarkar’s tenure, which ended in June 2026, was extended by the board for three months until September 2026.

Indian cricket has seen several off-field changes in recent months, including a change of T20I captaincy, T Dilip being sacked as the fielding coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate leaving a coaching role. Although Agarkar has expressed a desire to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the BCCI is reportedly considering other options for the selection committee leadership.

Poor results on tour have contributed to the debate inside the board, with recent reports describing the tours of Ireland and England as disastrous and saying India were hammered by Ireland and England respectively. The controversy surrounding Rohit Sharma’s retirement has also been cited in reports as having upset BCCI officials and prompted discussions about bringing in a new face to lead the selectors.

Earlier coverage had suggested the BCCI was keen to retain Agarkar as head of the selection committee, but those reports say the outcomes on the UK tour altered the board’s stance. The same accounts note that Agarkar’s tenure has included notable team success, with India winning three ICC titles during his period in charge.

VVS Laxman has been linked with the chief selector role in those discussions; media reports say he recently accompanied the Indian team to Zimbabwe as interim head coach and that he is serving as head of cricket at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. There has been no official confirmation of any appointment.

The chief selector position is listed as a key item for the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for September, where reports say the board will consider whether to retain Agarkar or appoint a successor; Agarkar remaining in the role until the 2027 ODI World Cup is described in reports as still a possibility, while his current extended term runs until September 2026.