Chetan Sharma Praises Ajit Agarkar's Tenure as BCCI Chief Selector

Chetan Sharma Congratulates Ajit Agarkar

On October 4, Ajit Agarkar concluded his role as the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) senior men's selection committee, a position he had held since July 2023 without seeking an extension. Former Indian cricketer Chetan Sharma expressed his congratulations to Agarkar for his impactful tenure.

Sharma, who has previously served as the chairman of the BCCI selection committee, commended Agarkar and his team for their contributions to India's cricketing achievements. He highlighted the significance of the role, stating, "It's a very big deal. You sit in that chair thinking about how many trophies India can win. It’s a great effort. Ajit has done a commendable job, and it’s a team effort involving all five selectors."

While attending the Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL) Players Draft, Sharma remarked, "No one’s chair is permanent, but it’s essential to leave a legacy of good work. Congratulations to Ajit Agarkar, and I wish him success in his future endeavors."

Under Agarkar's leadership, India secured three ICC trophies: the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and another ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026. Additionally, the Indian men's team clinched two Asia Cup titles and achieved back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games, while also reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Chetan Sharma also welcomed the return of pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the Indian team, who had been sidelined since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final. The 36-year-old has been recalled for the upcoming five T20Is against New Zealand starting October 22.

Sharma praised Bhuvneshwar's bowling performance during the UP T20 League, stating, "He deserves this opportunity. His bowling length and swing were impressive, reminiscent of the Bhuvneshwar I knew five years ago."

STCL mentor Ashok Malhotra echoed Sharma's sentiments, emphasizing that age should not hinder a player's selection when they perform well. He expressed his delight at Bhuvneshwar receiving another chance, saying, "It just goes to show that age is just a number. Better late than never!"

As the League Commissioner of the Salute Tiranga Cricket League, Chetan Sharma noted the league's positive progress, with 15,000 young players participating in trials. He emphasized the league's goal of providing opportunities for grassroots players who often miss out on state-level selections, highlighting the exceptional talent he observed, particularly among fast bowlers.