Ajit Agarkar is eligible to get a one-year extension from the BCCI as chief selector of the senior men's cricket team. Yet speculation has risen over his possible replacement.
But why has doubts about the former all-rounder’s future risen now? Firstly, his tenure is set to end this month. Then there is the episode involving Rohit Sharma. The Agarkar-led selection committee had earlier allegedly informed the veteran batter that he was not part of their plans for next year's ICC ODI World Cup. He was also allegedly asked by selectors to play his final ODI series for India against England, as per earlier reports.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected the reports regarding Rohit's future. "There is a lot of speculation going on in the media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday," Saikia said. So it is speculated that if Agarkar gets an extension, the issue may pop up yet again ahead of the World Cup.
The selection committee also faces criticism for not rewarding performances. This was evident with the removal of 2026 T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav from his captaincy and the squad. Furthermore, the exclusion of Sanju Samson from the T20I series against Zimbabwe—who was the Men in Blue’s 2026 T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament—didn't go unnoticed.
Parthiv Patel or Pragyan Ojha?
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha are currently in contention to replace Agarkar, sources reportedly told NDTV.
Parthiv Patel has played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India, scoring 934 Test runs and 736 runs in 50-over cricket. Meanwhile, Pragyan Ojha has played in 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 6 T20Is for India, scalping 113 Test wickets and 21 in ODI cricket. It is also worth noting that Ojha has already been part of the senior selection committee as a representative from the East Zone.
Agarkar, in his selection committee meeting on September 16, announced Team India's squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the West Indies. Reports suggested that this might have been his last selection committee meeting.
The chief selector began his tenure as the head of the committee in 2023. Whether he will receive an extension or be replaced is speculated to be decided at the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM). This meeting is scheduled for Friday.
