Ajit Agarkar has made up his mind to step down from his role as BCCI chief selector. According to The Hindu, he has already informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India about his decision not to continue as selector of the senior men’s team after his current contract ends on October 4.
“Agarkar has informed the BCCI just before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that he is not willing to continue as a selector after the conclusion of his term on October 4,” a BCCI office-bearer told the Newspaper.
Agarkar came on board in 2023 and took several big calls during his tenure as the chairman of the selection panel.
He sacked Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav as captains despite their proven and impressive track records. India also won the two T20 World Cups, the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup during his stint.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is the front-runner to succeed Agarkar.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the BCCI officials are now looking for a new chief of the selection committee after Agarkar’s decision.
“In his communication, Agarkar highlighted his previous discussions with the BCCI in February, when he told the officials to look at different alternatives at the end of his current stint,” a BCCI official told HT.
BCCI office-bearers to decide Agarkar’s future
The member units of the Indian board have authorized the office-bearers to decide Agarkar’s future. They will decide whether to give him an extension or find a suitable replacement.
Agarkar has been hogging the limelight for the last few months, and now he is on the verge of leaving his role as the BCCI is set to intensify its search for a new head of the selection committee.
“The office bearers are authorised to take decisions on the selection committee matters,” a senior BCCI official said.
The future of the chairman of the senior men’s selection committee and filling up all five positions of the junior selection panel is not the BCCI’s top priority.