Ajit Agarkar Decides to Step Down as BCCI Chief Selector, Informs Board

The BCCI is set to launch the search for a new chairman of the senior selection committee after Ajit Agarkar conveyed to the board that he does not wish to continue in the role.

According to sources familiar with the development, Agarkar has already informed the BCCI’s top officials about his decision. His current tenure is scheduled to conclude on October 4. The development follows Friday’s BCCI Annual General Meeting, where the board’s member units authorised its office-bearers to take decisions regarding the future of the selection committees.

A senior BCCI official, when asked about Agarkar’s position, said the office-bearers had been empowered to take decisions on matters concerning the selection committees but did not provide further details.

The 95th BCCI AGM was attended by representatives of the board’s affiliated state associations, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly from the Cricket Association of Bengal and former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad from the Karnataka State Cricket Association.

Five Junior Selector Posts Also Up for Appointment

The BCCI is also preparing to appoint an entirely new five-member junior selection committee, with the tenure of the existing panel nearing its end. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board has received a large number of applications for the positions. After the initial shortlisting, the candidates will be sent to the cricket committee for the final selection.

Saikia said the BCCI is aiming to complete the process within 10 to 15 days.

“We have received a very large number of applicants,” he said, adding that the cricket committee would be the competent authority to make the appointments to the junior selection panel.

Fielding Coach’s Future Yet to Be Decided

The BCCI has also kept the future of India’s fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh under review.

Saikia said Ghosh’s appointment was initially made on a short-term basis. He is also associated with the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as a fielding coach. The board will evaluate his performance and consider feedback from the Indian team’s management before deciding whether to extend his stint with the senior side.

With Agarkar’s expected departure and the imminent overhaul of the junior selection panel, the BCCI is set for changes in its selection setup in the coming weeks.