BCCI extends Ajit Agarkar's contract as chairman of selection committee; to stay till June 2026
The Indian Express understands that Agarkar's contract was renewed before Indian Premier League 2025. 'Under his tenure the Indian team had won titles and had seen transition (of the Tests and T20) too. The BCCI had extended his contract till June 2026 and he had accepted the offer a few months back,' a BCCI official told The Indian Express. Under the former all-rounder, India oversaw a tricky phase that involved the farewells of three stalwarts, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravi Ashwin. The off-spinner had quit all formats while Rohit and Virat would feature in ODIs. New captains too were picked—Shubman Gill in Tests and Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is.
The current selection committee comprises Agarkar, SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra and S Sharath. But it is understood that the senior selection committee will see some changes after its annual general body meeting in September. Sharath, who served as the junior selection committee chairman in September 2021 and was promoted to senior selection committee in January 2023, will complete four years. It is learnt that the board is likely to replace him with a new face. The BCCI will be calling for fresh applications going ahead. However, it is unclear whether the board will retain Das and Banerjee. The board is reportedly pleased with the current bunch and only one potential change could be made to the panel.
The board would also invite applications for seniors women and junior men selection committees. Women's committee chairman Neetu David will complete five years as selector along with Arati Vaidya and Mithu Mukherjee. According to the board regulations, members can keep their post for only five years. It's an important season with the World T20 scheduled next year.
The junior selection committee has Thilak Naidu, Ranadeb Bose, Harvinder Singh Sodhi, Pathik Patel and Krishen Mohan. It is understood that the board is keen to have a few changes in the junior selection committee too.
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