BCCI takes drastic action on Ajit Agarkar's contract after severe backlash on Asia Cup 2025
Table of Contents
Amid several changes as well as removals in the BCCI selectors panel, Men's Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar gets a well-deserved extension in contract till June 2026.
With the Asia Cup 2025 squad selections, which emerged as a huge burden for the Indian selection committee and the Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, he received the good news of a contract extension as the national men's team selector.
The former Indian fast bowler had to face public outrage as well as the media glare after some controversial calls were made during the Asia Cup squad selection, but the former star handled it with wit and also clarified every logical reason behind his decision, thus ruling out the possibility of any politics.
Ajit Agarkar's BCCI Contract extended till June 2026
The Indian Chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, whose contract began back in June 2023, was offered a three-year deal with the BCCI, which ended in June 2025. Agarkar began his journey back in 2023, post which India broke their ICC drought in some style.
After Agarkar's appointment, India qualified for the ICC World Cup Finals in 2023, which they eventually lost; however, it was under Agarkar's reign that Mohammed Shami made his comeback and was unstoppable in the World Cup campaign.
Then India went on to win the ICC T20 World Cup with some interesting choices of keeping Shubman Gill in reserves and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the XI, while also picking Shivam Dube as the third all-rounder in the side. Next, India won the Champions Trophy, where the tournament's highest run-getter for the Blue, Shreyas Iyer, was a sole selection of Ajit Agarkar.
“Under his tenure, the Indian team had won titles and had seen a 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.
S Sharath to be replaced in new deal
The current selection committee is headed by Ajit Agarkar; however, it also comprises other committee members like SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and S Sharath. However, it is understood that despite the extension of the contract for the chief selector, the committee is to undergo a few changes.
Sharath served as the junior selection committee chairman in September 2021 and was promoted to the senior selection committee in January 2023, and has completed 4 years in the body. It has been learned that BCCI is likely considering replacing him.
It is also unclear whether the board is thinking of retaining the likes of Das and Banerjee, though the Indian Express reports that the board is currently pleased with the recent bunch and has pushed for only one change. The decisions shall be laid up in the annual general meeting of the BCCI.
BCCI all set to invite new applications
With the few changes to be made, the BCCI has already started accepting new applications for the senior women and junior men selection committee, and after the AGM, it will be looking to add the position of senior men's selection committee as well.
Women’s committee chairman Neetu David will complete five years as a selector along with Arati Vaidya and Mithu Mukherjee. As per the rules of the board, regulation members cannot hold their posts for more than 5 years.
The junior selection committee has Thilak Naidu, Ranadeb Bose, Harvinder Singh Sodhi, Pathik Patel, and Krishen Mohan. BCCI is looking to make a few changes here as well.
ALSO READ: BCCI goes hunting after Indian players, Rugby's fitness Test inducted to whip a lash
