NEW DELHI : India’s cricket board has begun the search for a new chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, with incumbent Ajit Agarkar set to step down when his term expires next month, according to sources.
Agarkar, the former India fast bowler who has led the selection committee since 2023, had sought an extension through the 2027 ODI World Cup but has now indicated his intention to leave at the end of his current term, the sources said.
Discussions between Agarkar and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have already taken place, with an official announcement on his departure expected in the coming days.
Agarkar has already chaired what is expected to be his final selection meeting, with India’s squad for their upcoming white-ball series announced recently, according to the sources.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is among the candidates being considered to replace Agarkar, whose contract expires next month, the sources added.
The BCCI is also in the process of appointing all five members of its junior selection committee, whose current members are nearing the end of their terms.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had received a large number of applications and expected to complete the selection process within two weeks.
“We have received a very large number of applicants and once the shortlisting is completed, then we will give it to our cricket committee,” Saikia told reporters after the board’s annual general meeting.
“They will be the competent authority to select for the junior selection committee, so that process is going on, and we are trying to complete it within the next 10-15 days time because all the five (current) selectors, their tenure is going to be over very soon,” he added.
Saikia also said Subhadeep Ghosh’s appointment as India’s fielding coach was initially for a short period and that his continuation would depend on an assessment of his performance.
“Regarding the fielding coach of Indian team, we have appointed him for a short time, who is also a part of our COE as a fielding coach in Bangalore,” Saikia said.
“We will be assessing his performance and as per the opinion given by the concerned persons in the team management, we will take a decision to continue his engagement as a fielding coach of the Indian team. That final decision is yet to be taken,” he added.
