Ajit Agarkar Tenure Comes to an End
Ajit Agarkar time as the BCCI chief selector ended on October 4, 2026. The board made his departure official on Wednesday. They thanked him for his service to the men’s national cricket team over the past three years. During his tenure, India won three major trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
His term also saw some disagreements over bold selections. The most famous was picking Shivam Dube over Rinku Singh for the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirements from Test cricket also happened while he was in charge. India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid respect to Ajit Agarkar, saying that history will be kinder to him. Now, it is time for a new person to take over.
Pragyan Ojha: The Interim Chief Selector
For now, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is handling the role on an interim basis. Ojha is already part of the selection committee. The other members are Shiv Sunder Das, RP Singh, and Ajay Ratra. With 24 Test appearances for India, Ojha is currently the most experienced Test player on the panel. This puts him in a strong position. Under the BCCI’s system, the selector with the most Test appearances among the committee members becomes the chairman.
Parthiv Patel: The Strong Contender
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is one of the prominent names being discussed for the vacant position. Patel played 25 Tests for India, which is one more than Ojha. This could be important. If he is appointed to the selection committee, he would have the highest Test tally among its members. That means he could take over as chairman. Patel’s name had already come up as a leading contender even before Agarkar’s tenure officially ended. Reports suggested that he was among the candidates being considered by the BCCI.
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Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan Are Also in the Picture
The race is not limited to Ojha and Patel. Former India pacer Zaheer Khan and all-rounder Irfan Pathan are among the other names that could be considered for the West Zone position. They would need to meet the BCCI’s eligibility requirements. Irfan Pathan has 29 Test appearances. If he is appointed, he would have more Test experience than Ojha and could be in contention for the chairman’s role.
What Does the BCCI Rule Say?
The BCCI has set specific criteria for applicants. A candidate must have played at least seven Tests, or 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs, along with 20 first-class matches. The candidate must also have retired from cricket at least five years ago. The new selector will be responsible for picking India’s senior men’s teams across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. They will also scout talent and help build the team’s bench strength. The selector will have a major say in appointing captains across formats. They will also need to assess players through domestic and international cricket.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
The new chief selector will face a big challenge. India has a busy schedule ahead, with series against New Zealand, Australia, and other top teams. The selector will need to identify talent, manage player workloads, and build a strong squad for future tournaments. The selection committee will also need to work closely with the team management and the BCCI. The BCCI is expected to make a decision soon. Until then, Ojha will continue in the interim role.