Ajit Agarkar not to seek extension as BCCI chief selector

Ajit Agarkar, chief selector of the All India Senior Men’s National Selection Committee, has decided not to seek an extension as his contract concludes on October 4. Appointed in July 2023, Agarkar has overseen one of the most successful periods in India’s white‑ball history.

Under his tenure, India won two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026), two Asia Cups (2023 and 2025), reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and clinched the Champions Trophy in 2025. His committee also made two major decisions: appointing Shubman Gill as India’s ODI and Test captain, and handing the T20I leadership to Shreyas Iyer.

Both calls were significant. Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma after India’s Champions Trophy triumph, while Iyer replaced Suryakumar Yadav, who had led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.

“We still have 15 days to go,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said after the board’s 95th Annual General Meeting at the board's headquarters. “Fifteen days is a long time in the world of cricket. We will make a decision at an appropriate time.”

Reports had suggested that the Agarkar‑led panel was considering moving on from Rohit Sharma after the three‑match ODI series against England in July. However, Rohit responded with a superb century in the series decider at Lord’s on July 19, ensuring he remained central to India’s plans. He is also part of the squad for the upcoming home ODI series against West Indies.

The BCCI will now need to identify Agarkar’s successor swiftly, with India scheduled to tour New Zealand in October-November for a multi‑format series featuring five ODIs, five T20Is, and two Tests. The tour gets underway with the T20I leg on October 22. It will be followed by the 50-over contests, and the series will culminate with two red-ball contests.