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Ajit Agarkar’s Selection Tenure Ends After Indian Cricket’s Highs and Lows
Ajit Agarkar’s time as India’s chief cricket selector has ended.
He did not ask to stay in the job longer, and the cricket board has begun looking for a replacement.
While he was in charge, India won three major international trophies, two Asia Cups and two Asian Games gold medals.
India also reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup but lost to Australia.
The team had difficult results too, including losses in Test cricket to New Zealand and Australia.
Some choices about which players to select were criticised.
The article also says several young players made their India debuts during his tenure.
India’s record during this period included both major successes and disappointing results.
Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as BCCI chief selector ended after he did not seek an extension; the BCCI invited applications for the vacant role.
India won three ICC trophies during his tenure: the 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup.
India also won two Asia Cup titles and two Asian Games gold medals, and reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
The team suffered setbacks including a 1-2 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, a 0-3 Test loss to New Zealand and a 1-4 Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss in Australia.
The selection committee faced criticism over player choices, including the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav and the careers of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane ending after extended time out of the team.
- Who
- Ajit Agarkar, outgoing chairman of the BCCI Men’s Selection Committee, and the Indian men’s cricket team.
- What
- Agarkar’s tenure ended without an extension, prompting the BCCI to invite applications for the vacant selector post.
- Where
- The role was with the BCCI in India; the article also discusses matches in India, Australia and Dubai.
- When
- Agarkar took charge in 2023; his tenure ended last month, according to the article.
- Why
- Agarkar did not seek an extension, and the BCCI is filling the resulting vacancy.
Supporters’ assessment
Criticism and setbacks
Overall record
Supporters’ assessment
The BCCI and head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Agarkar’s contribution, highlighting major trophies and his team-first conviction.
Criticism and setbacks
India also had significant losses, including Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia and an ODI series loss to Sri Lanka.
Selection decisions
Supporters’ assessment
The article says the committee backed emerging players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, and introduced structural changes.
Criticism and setbacks
Some decisions drew criticism: Suryakumar Yadav was dropped, while Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane spent years out of the team before retiring; Ravichandran Ashwin criticised the Suryakumar decision.
Key facts
- Role
- Chairman of the BCCI Men’s Selection Committee
- Appointment
- Took charge in 2023
- Tenure outcome
- Ended without Agarkar seeking an extension
- ICC titles
- 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup
- Other titles
- Two Asia Cup titles and two Asian Games gold medals
- 2023 ODI World Cup
- India won 10 consecutive matches before losing the final to Australia
- Noted setbacks
- Losses to New Zealand (0-3) in Tests in 2024 and Australia (1-4) in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Quotes
Gautam Gambhir
India head coach who thanked Agarkar for his service.
“A tenure marked by some truly special moments for Indian cricket — three ICC trophies, two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games Gold medals, along with a run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Thank you, Mr Ajit Agarkar @imAagarkar, for your commitment, conviction and contribution as Chairman of the Men’s Selection Committee. Wishing you the very best for the journey ahead.”
livemint.com
“Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours!!”
livemint.com
Sources
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