mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has authorised its office-bearers to take a decision on the future of the men’s senior and junior selection committees, leaving chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s position unresolved after the board’s 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday.
Agarkar’s current tenure as chairman of the men’s senior selection committee is scheduled to end next month. The AGM did not announce whether his tenure would be extended or whether the BCCI would begin the process of appointing a replacement.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said after the meeting that the board had obtained the required authorisation and would take a decision on the selectors later. The BCCI’s official AGM update separately confirmed several administrative decisions, including the re-election of Arun Singh Dhumal and M Khairul Jamal Majumdar to the IPL Governing Council.
BCCI yet to decide on Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar was appointed chairman of the men’s senior selection committee in July 2023. His current contract is due to expire in October 2026, and the BCCI has not yet confirmed whether he will receive an extension.
The AGM effectively left the decision with the board’s office-bearers. Shukla told reporters that the necessary authorisation had been obtained for decisions concerning both the senior and junior men’s selection committees.
“Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior men’s committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later,” Shukla said after the AGM.
The development means no immediate change to the selection committee has been announced. The BCCI will now have to decide whether Agarkar continues or whether the process for appointing a new chairman should begin.
Parthiv Patel emerges as a potential contender
If the BCCI decides not to extend Agarkar’s tenure, the board would have to follow its selection procedure, including inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting interviews before appointing a replacement.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has emerged as one of the names being discussed as a potential successor. Patel is currently an assistant coach with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League and has also worked in commentary after his playing career.
Reports about Patel potentially moving into the selection setup have circulated periodically since earlier this year. His eligibility is also being considered in the context of the requirement that a selector should have been retired from active cricket for the stipulated period.
However, the BCCI has not officially named Patel as a candidate, and no decision has been announced on Agarkar’s replacement.
Agarkar remains involved with India’s team affairs
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his tenure, Agarkar has continued to be involved in India’s cricketing activities.
He recently attended the India-Afghanistan T20I matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi along with fellow selection committee members R.P. Singh and Ajay Ratra.
Agarkar had earlier missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 after being in a location without internet connectivity. His absence from that meeting had drawn attention, but there has been no official announcement linking it to the decision on his future.
During the second India-Afghanistan T20I, BCCI officials, including Rajeev Shukla, ICC chairman Jay Shah and BCCI president Mithun Manhas, were also present at the venue alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board officials.
Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar re-elected.
The IPL Governing Council also retained its existing representatives from the BCCI General Body.
Arun Singh Dhumal and M Khairul Jamal Majumdar were elected to the IPL Governing Council. The BCCI’s official AGM update confirmed both appointments.
The decision means Dhumal, who serves as IPL chairman, and Majumdar will continue in their respective positions on the governing body.
The AGM also approved the audited accounts for the 2025-26 financial year, the annual budget for 2026-27 and the appointment of auditors for the coming financial year.
No discussion on Ranchi Test venue
The BCCI also clarified that there was no discussion during the AGM about changing the venue of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test scheduled in Ranchi.
Responding to questions from reporters, Shukla said the venue was not part of the discussions.
“No, there was no discussion about the venue for that Test match,” he said.
He also indicated that some fixtures that had been scheduled as 50-over matches had subsequently been converted to 20-over fixtures.
Andaman and Nicobar membership bid deferred
Another agenda item concerned the proposed inclusion of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands within the BCCI structure.
The bid for affiliate membership was reportedly deferred because of legal issues. The matter therefore remains unresolved following the AGM.
The BCCI’s meeting also addressed administrative and welfare-related issues involving domestic cricket officials.
Umpires and match referees set for higher payments
Domestic umpires and match referees are in line for an enhanced payment structure following the AGM.
The BCCI officially confirmed that the General Body approved an enhanced payment structure for umpires and match referees, along with a reclassification of grades.
The supplied AGM discussions also indicate that scorers are expected to be included in the broader review of fees, with a three-member committee likely to work on the revised fee structure.
The board also approved an updated Age Verification Policy and formed a new Internal Committee under its Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
Agarkar decision expected later
For now, Ajit Agarkar remains chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, but the BCCI has not confirmed whether he will continue beyond the end of his current tenure.
The AGM has given the office-bearers the authority to make the decision, meaning the next step will come through a separate BCCI decision rather than the AGM itself.
If the board opts for a change, a formal selection process will be required before a new chairman is appointed. Until then, reports linking Parthiv Patel or other former cricketers to the position remain possibilities rather than confirmed appointments