Cricket

Gautam Gambhir Pays Tribute to Outgoing Selector Ajit Agarkar

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 7, 2026, 11:55 IST

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has praised Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector, highlighting the team's success in three ICC tournaments during his time leading the selection committee.

Gautam Gambhir Pays Tribute to Outgoing Selector Ajit Agarkar

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has publicly acknowledged the contributions of outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, commending his leadership and commitment to prioritizing the team. Agarkar’s tenure, which began in July 2023, officially concluded on October 4, marking a period of significant success for the national side on the global stage.

In a message shared on social media, Gambhir expressed his gratitude for their professional collaboration. He highlighted that the team’s achievements in three major ICC tournaments serve as a testament to Agarkar’s conviction and his philosophy of placing the collective interests of the squad above all else. Gambhir noted that history would likely view Agarkar’s impact on the team favorably, while offering his best wishes for the former pacer's future endeavors.

A Tenure Defined by ICC Success

Agarkar’s time at the helm of the senior men’s selection committee was marked by consistent performance in major international events. Under his guidance, the Indian team reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup before securing victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup. Following the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting on September 18, Agarkar confirmed he would not seek an extension to his role.

Transition in the Selection Committee

With the position now vacant, the BCCI has initiated the process of inviting applications to fill the spot on the five-member panel. Currently, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is overseeing the committee’s operations in an interim capacity, having recently chaired the meeting to select the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The committee also includes members Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh.

Speculation regarding a permanent successor remains, with the seniority of potential candidates being a key factor in the selection process. While Ojha has represented India in 24 Test matches, the potential inclusion of former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, who played 25 Tests, could influence the final appointment. The board is expected to finalize the structure of the committee in the coming weeks.