Ajit Agarkar’s Tenure as India Chief Selector Ends: Major Achievements and What’s Next
Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as the Chairman of the India men’s senior selection committee has officially come to an end, bringing down the curtain on a three-year stint that saw the Indian team win three ICC trophies.
Agarkar took charge as chairman of the selection committee in July 2023. His tenure ended on October 4, 2026, after he decided not to seek an extension. The BCCI has now started the process of finding his replacement, while former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is serving as the interim chief selector.
Ajit Agarkar’s Tenure Ends After Three Years
Agarkar became India’s chief selector at an important stage in Indian cricket. His appointment came shortly after India had reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
During his time at the helm, India’s men’s team went on to achieve several major successes across ICC and Asian competitions.
India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup during Agarkar’s tenure. The team also won two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals.
Three ICC Trophies Under Agarkar
The biggest achievement associated with Agarkar’s tenure is India’s success in three consecutive major ICC tournaments.
2024 T20 World Cup
India ended a long wait for a senior men’s ICC World Cup trophy by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The Rohit Sharma-led side defeated South Africa in the final in Barbados to lift the title.
2025 Champions Trophy
India continued its success in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The team went through the tournament unbeaten and defeated New Zealand in the final to claim another ICC title.
2026 T20 World Cup
India then successfully defended its T20 World Cup crown in 2026.
The 2026 triumph gave India back-to-back T20 World Cup titles and completed a remarkable run of ICC success during Agarkar’s time as chairman.
India’s Other Achievements During Agarkar’s Tenure
India’s success during this period was not limited to ICC tournaments.
The team also won two Asia Cup titles and secured back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games. India also reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup shortly before Agarkar’s appointment.
India’s Major Results During Agarkar’s Tenure
| Achievement | Result |
|---|---|
| 2023 ODI World Cup | Runners-up |
| 2024 T20 World Cup | Champions |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | Champions |
| 2026 T20 World Cup | Champions |
| Asia Cup | Two titles |
| Asian Games | Two consecutive gold medals |
These results made Agarkar’s tenure one of the most trophy-rich periods in India’s recent white-ball cricket history.
Who Is India’s Interim Chief Selector?
Following Agarkar’s departure, former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has taken charge of the selection committee on an interim basis.
Ojha was already part of the selection panel and has 24 Test appearances for India. The other members are Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and R. P. Singh.
Ojha chaired the recent selection meeting for India’s upcoming New Zealand tour.
His future as permanent chairman will depend on the BCCI’s selection process and the eventual appointment to the vacant position.
BCCI Invites Applications for Agarkar’s Replacement
The BCCI has officially opened applications for one position on the men’s senior selection committee.
The application deadline is October 14, 2026, at 5 PM IST. Shortlisted candidates will subsequently be called for personal interviews.
The successful candidate will become part of the committee responsible for selecting India’s senior men’s teams across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
The selector’s responsibilities will also include scouting players, assessing performances, developing India’s bench strength, attending team meetings and providing regular reports to the BCCI.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria?
The BCCI has specified several requirements for candidates applying for the position.
Applicants must have played at least one of the following:
- Seven Tests
- 30 first-class matches
- 10 ODIs and 20 first-class matches
Candidates must also have retired from cricket for at least five years. The board has further stated that anyone who has served on a BCCI-defined Cricket Committee for a cumulative five years will not be eligible.
The Next Chief Selector Faces a Major Task
Whoever takes over the position will inherit an important responsibility.
India are already preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the new selection committee will have to make several significant decisions over the coming months.
The selectors will be responsible for monitoring established stars as well as identifying the next generation of Indian players.
The upcoming international schedule, including India’s series against New Zealand, will provide the new selection setup with an early opportunity to assess the squad.
Agarkar’s Legacy as Chief Selector
Agarkar’s tenure will be remembered primarily for India’s remarkable trophy haul.
From July 2023 to October 2026, India won three ICC trophies, two Asia Cups and two consecutive Asian Games gold medals. The team also reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final during this period.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir also publicly thanked Agarkar following the end of his tenure, highlighting the three ICC trophies won during his time as chief selector and praising his team-first approach.
For now, Agarkar’s chapter with the selection committee is over, and the BCCI has begun the search for the person who will guide India’s selection decisions into the next phase.
Key Takeaways
- Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as India’s chief selector has ended.
- He became chairman of the selection committee in July 2023.
- His tenure officially ended on October 4, 2026.
- India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup during his tenure.
- India also won two Asia Cups and consecutive Asian Games gold medals.
- Pragyan Ojha is currently serving as interim chief selector.
- The BCCI has invited applications for Agarkar’s replacement.
- The application deadline is October 14, 2026.
- The next permanent selection committee will have an important role in India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.