Ajit Agarkar will not seek an extension as chairman of the BCCI’s senior men’s selection committee when his current contract ends on October 4, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. Agarkar has communicated his decision to the BCCI, although the board has yet to formally decide whether it wants him to continue in the role.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Friday that the board still had time to take a call on Agarkar’s future. Speaking after the BCCI’s annual general meeting in Mumbai, Saikia said the next 15 days would be important before a decision is made.
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Agarkar took charge as India’s chief selector in July 2023 and has overseen a period of significant success for the national team across formats. During his tenure, India won the Asia Cup in 2023 and 2025, reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026. India also won the Champions Trophy in 2025.
The selection panel led by Agarkar has also been involved in several major leadership decisions. Shubman Gill was appointed India’s Test and ODI captain last year, while Shreyas Iyer was chosen to replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain earlier this year.
The selectors have already started looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played in Africa next October and November. As part of that process, the panel decided to move beyond Rohit Sharma following India’s tour of England in July. Rohit, however, remains part of India’s squad for the upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies, beginning September 27.
Agarkar chaired the selection meeting earlier this week that picked India’s squads for the West Indies white-ball series and the Irani Trophy, which begins on October 1.
The timing of the decision is significant because India are scheduled to begin a full tour of New Zealand in mid-October. The tour will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. India A will also play two unofficial Tests in New Zealand as part of the shadow tour.
The BCCI will therefore have to address the senior selection committee’s leadership before a busy international schedule begins.
The board also announced changes to the fee structure for domestic umpires and match referees. The fees, which had remained unchanged since the previous revision in 2018, have now been increased substantially. Umpires will be divided into four categories, with assignments determined by merit. The system will also include promotion and relegation at the end of each season.
Saikia also confirmed that Subhadeep Ghosh’s appointment as India men’s fielding coach remains temporary. A decision on his future will be made after his performance is assessed and the team management provides its feedback.
Meanwhile, the BCCI expects to appoint members of the junior men’s selection committee within the next 10 to 15 days. The board received a large number of applications after advertising five positions following the end of the previous panel’s tenure.
With Agarkar’s current contract nearing its end and India entering an important phase of preparation for the 2027 World Cup, the BCCI is now set to make a decision that could shape the next phase of India’s selection process.
