Ajit Agarkar’s current contract as the BCCI’s chief selector runs until October 4, 2026. Following the conclusion of the 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Friday (September 18), the General Body formally transferred the final decision regarding his contract extension or replacement to the core BCCI office-bearers.
Addressing the media after the AGM, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said: “The General Body has authorised the BCCI office-bearers to take a call on the chief selector.”
Later on, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has 15 days remaining on Agarkar's contract and will evaluate their next steps during this window rather than rushing into an immediate announcement.
“There are still 15 days to go for the Chief selector's tenure. We will take a decision soon,” Saikia said while speaking to Hindustan Times.
While there were earlier rumours suggesting the board might extend Agarkar's tenure until the 2027 ODI World Cup to maintain continuity, recent reports indicate a significant shift in stance within the board.
According to numerous publications, Agarkar may have already chaired his last selection meeting on Wednesday (September 16) in New Delhi, where India's squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies and the Rest of India (ROI) squad for Irani Trophy were picked.
If the board decides to transition to a new selection committee chairman, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel and former spinner Pragyan Ojha have reportedly emerged as the leading candidates on the BCCI's shortlist.
Ajit Agarkar's position as chief selector came under scrutiny after the July 2026 ODI series against England, where Rohit Sharma's future in ODI cricket and leaked retirement timelines left a section of BCCI officials furious.
Rumours surfaced during the England tour that the selection panel had discussed dropping Rohit from future ODI assignments and that the Lord's match would be his farewell. After the veteran opener slammed a century in that game, the narrative backfired, prompting Saikia to issue a public statement confirming Sharma's long-term spot in the team.
Agarkar was appointed as the BCCI selection committee chief in 2023. His tenure brought immense white-ball success to the Indian team, including three ICC titles (2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and 2025 Champions Trophy) and two Asia Cups.
While limited-overs results have been unprecedented, the team’s graph has gone down considerably in the Test format, suffering clean sweeps at the hands of New Zealand and South Africa in home series.
