Gautam Gambhir praises Ajit Agarkar after BCCI chief selector’s departure

Ajit Agarkar has concluded his tenure as the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior selection committee. Following his departure, the Indian team’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, publicly acknowledged Agarkar’s contributions, stating that history will be kinder to the former selector despite the criticism he faced during his term, as reported by Samakalika Malayalam.

Gambhir’s Farewell Message to Agarkar

Gautam Gambhir took to social media to express his gratitude for working alongside Agarkar. In his tribute, Gambhir highlighted the team-first philosophy that defined Agarkar’s decision-making process. According to Asianet News Malayalam, Gambhir noted that the three ICC titles secured by the BCCI during this period serve as evidence of Agarkar’s accurate judgment.

In a message reported by Reporter Tv, Gambhir addressed Agarkar as dear Ajit Bhai, stating that it was a great honor to have worked with him. He noted that the three ICC titles won by the BCCI are proof of Agarkar’s accurate decisions and that his stance was always ‘team first, team ahead.’ Gambhir added that he can say with certainty that future history will be kinder to him, thanking him for everything and offering heartfelt wishes for all future endeavors.

Pragyan Ojha Leads Interim Selection Committee

Following Agarkar’s exit, the BCCI has appointed former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha as the interim head of the selection committee. Manorama Online reported that Ojha led the selection meeting for the upcoming series against New Zealand, which includes five T20 matches, five ODIs, and two Test matches. Gautam Gambhir attended this meeting online while traveling between Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati.

The selection committee for this transition period included Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and R.P. Singh, alongside Ojha. While Agarkar’s departure has been finalized, the BCCI has initiated the process of accepting applications for a permanent successor to the chief selector position. Both Pragyan Ojha and former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel have been identified in reports as potential candidates for the permanent role.

Challenges During Agarkar’s Tenure

Agarkar, who assumed the role in July 2023, oversaw a period that included India’s appearance in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Despite these results, his final months in the position were marked by significant public and internal scrutiny.

Asianet News Malayalam noted that Agarkar faced criticism regarding the transition of senior players, specifically the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Reports also surfaced regarding alleged internal disagreements over squad selections, including attempts to prioritize younger talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal in the ODI format, which reportedly led to friction with the BCCI leadership. These unresolved tensions are cited as the primary reasons for his departure from the post.