Ajit Agarkar's tenure as the BCCI chief selector, which began in July 2023, has been marked by both significant achievements and contentious decisions, leading to speculation about his future in the role. While Agarkar secured a contract extension until 2026, recent events suggest a potential "messy end" to his term, fueled by power dynamics with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Agarkar's arrival was initially seen as a breath of fresh air, with the former Indian all-rounder bringing a no-nonsense approach to selection. He has been credited with some bold decisions, such as backing Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I skipper after Rohit Sharma's T20I retirement and making domestic cricket participation mandatory for even star players. Agarkar also showed faith in KL Rahul as a Test batter and is credited with the selection of Shubman Gill as captain. Under his tenure, the Indian team reached the final of the 2023 World Cup, won the T20 World Cup in 2024, and the Champions Trophy in 2025.
However, Agarkar's tenure hasn't been without controversy. The decision to remove Rohit Sharma as ODI captain in October 2025, despite his recent Champions Trophy victory, sparked widespread criticism. The move, aimed at preparing Shubman Gill for the 2027 World Cup and streamlining leadership across formats, was perceived by many as disrespectful to Rohit's achievements. Statistically, Rohit Sharma is India's most successful ODI captain, with a win rate of around 75%. Critics, including former cricketers, questioned the timing and rationale behind the decision.
Adding to the turmoil, reports suggest a lack of clear communication between Agarkar and Virat Kohli regarding the latter's future plans. Kohli's sudden Test retirement in May 2025 also raised eyebrows, although Agarkar clarified it was Kohli's personal decision. However, some believe that Agarkar played a key role in the retirement.
The exclusion of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia has further intensified the scrutiny on Agarkar's decisions. While Agarkar has stated that their selection for the 2027 World Cup depends on their form, some view these actions as unfairly targeting the two legends. Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison warned that India might perform miserably in the 2027 ODI World Cup if Kohli is excluded.
These events have led to speculation about a potential power tussle between Agarkar and senior players. Some reports suggest that Agarkar, along with Gautam Gambhir, believes it will be tough for Rohit and Kohli to be at their peak for the 2027 World Cup, given their age. This perceived lack of faith in senior players, coupled with controversial selection decisions, has created an environment of uncertainty around Agarkar's future as chief selector.
Historically, controversies surrounding team selections have led to the downfall of chief selectors. Chetan Sharma, Agarkar's predecessor, resigned amidst a sting operation controversy in which he revealed classified selection matters. Whether Agarkar can weather the current storm remains to be seen. However, the combination of contentious decisions, perceived power struggles, and external criticism has undoubtedly placed him in a precarious position, making a "messy end" a distinct possibility.
