Ajit Agarkar Set for Contract Extension as India's Cricket Selector

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors for Indian cricket, is expected to have his contract extended until June 2027. His leadership has seen India achieve significant success in white-ball formats, including three ICC trophies. However, the team has faced challenges in Test cricket. Agarkar's bold decisions, including the appointment of new captains and player selections, have sparked discussions about the future direction of the team. As the BCCI prepares for the upcoming ODI World Cup, Agarkar's continuation in his role seems crucial for maintaining stability and success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 19, 2026, 08:40 IST

Contract Extension on the Horizon

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, is poised to receive a contract extension that will last until June 2027. This decision comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) aims to maintain continuity ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup next year. The selectors, RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha, are still relatively new in their roles, having not yet completed a year. Under Agarkar's leadership, India has secured three ICC trophies, including the T20 World Cup in 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and the T20 World Cup in 2026. The team also reached the finals of the 2023 World Cup, where they faced defeat against Australia. Agarkar's tenure has been marked by a smooth transition and a willingness to make bold decisions, prompting the board to favor his continuation. A BCCI official mentioned that discussions regarding his extension will take place during IPL matches.

A Rollercoaster Journey

A Topsy-Turvy Ride

Agarkar's time as chairman has been filled with ups and downs. While the team has excelled in white-ball formats, their performance in Test cricket has been disappointing, suffering losses to New Zealand and South Africa at home, as well as a 4-1 defeat in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His era also marked the transition from the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli leadership, as both players retired from T20Is following the T20 World Cup 2024 victory and stepped back from Test cricket before the England tour last year. Although there are speculations that the veterans were pressured into their decisions, the BCCI insists that it did not influence their choices. Agarkar has appointed new captains for the national team, with Shubman Gill taking charge of the Test and ODI formats, while Suryakumar Yadav leads the T20I side. Despite Hardik Pandya being a strong candidate for the T20I captaincy, Agarkar advocated for Yadav, emphasizing the need for a captain who can participate in all matches due to fitness concerns surrounding Pandya.

Bold Selections and Their Outcomes

Ajit Agarkar Never Shied Away From Bold Calls

The selection committee, under Agarkar's guidance, has made several daring choices, some of which have yielded positive results while others have not. One notable decision was including Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2026 squad, aiming to secure his spot for the World Cup. However, this strategy backfired as Gill's inclusion led to the demotion of Samson, who had been performing well at the top of the order, resulting in a loss of form for him. Ultimately, Gill was excluded from the World Cup squad, while Samson returned as opener and excelled. Additionally, the committee brought back Ishan Kishan, who had been absent from the team since 2023, for the T20 World Cup 2026 after monitoring his impressive domestic season. Kishan was included in the World Cup squad, surpassing Yashavi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma.