New Delhi: Ajit Agarkar is unlikely to continue as chairman of the BCCI senior men’s selection committee, with former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel and ex-spinner Pragyan Ojha emerging as the leading candidates to succeed him.
Agarkar’s current contract is scheduled to end next month. While there had been speculation that the BCCI could extend his tenure until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the latest developments suggest that the board is preparing for a change at the top of the selection committee.
The BCCI’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Friday, and Agarkar is not expected to receive an extension. Wednesday’s selection meeting, which saw India’s squads announced for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies and the Irani Trophy, could have been his final meeting as chairman.
Agarkar also headed the selection process for the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy.
Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha are now understood to be the prominent names being considered for the position. Both former India players have also been part of successful IPL campaigns, with each having three IPL titles to his name.
The selection committee’s latest decisions have also drawn attention because veteran batter Rohit Sharma was included in India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series.
Rohit’s selection comes after reports had suggested that the selectors were initially not considering him for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The former India captain had faced scrutiny following a difficult run against England, but responded with a match-winning 138 in the final ODI of that series.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had previously dismissed speculation surrounding Rohit’s international future, stating that the batter would continue playing for India as long as he remained part of the selectors’ plans.
The possible change in the selection committee could therefore coincide with an important phase for Indian cricket as preparations begin for the next ODI World Cup.
