The future of Ajit Agarkar at the helm of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior men’s selection committee has got more uncertainty as there are rumours that the board is mulling in a new direction and some of the top-flight players in the world of cricket are being considered to replace Ajit Agarkar as the chairman. Former Indian international Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha are the two candidates to succeed Agarkar.
Agarkar’s time is coming to an end and sections of the BCCI don’t think he will stay on his current job. There had been speculation that the former India all-rounder could continue in the role, perhaps through the next ODI World Cup cycle but now the board is set up for a possible change at the top of the selection committee.
Agarkar was appointed chairman of the senior men's selection committee in July 2023. The BCCI’s official announcement at the time was that the Cricket Advisory Committee had unanimously recommended him for the selector position, and his Test experience helped to cement his seniority in the panel. Agarkar represented India in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs and four T20Is in his playing career.
The development comes after a selection committee met on Wednesday to finalize India’s squads for the upcoming white-ball home series against the West Indies. The panel also picked the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy. Agarkar chaired what could have been his last selection meeting in the role of chairman.
The timing is important as the BCCI's Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place soon and board members are expected to discuss some administrative matters. There are reports that board decisions on the senior selection committee leadership will be made at this time of the year. No official announcement on Agarkar’s replacement has yet to be made at the time of writing.
Parthiv Patel is a Contender
One of the two former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel is among the two names that are in the mix for the job. Patel had a long career both in the domestic and international circuit and later moved to coaching, commentary and cricket-related roles.
Patel represented India in Tests, ODIs and T20Is and also got some leadership experience during his domestic career. His stint with Gujarat cricket was also a captaincy experience; his IPL experience has helped him get on the team management and player development in the franchise.
His coaching and scouting experience in the IPL has also been highlighted in the media as something he might have in his background that could serve him to select in a role. Patel has been with Gujarat Titans from coaching and scouting and still plays cricket professionally after retiring from international and domestic play.
Pragyan Ojha has Selection Committee Experience
Pragyan Ojha is the other former India international who is also under consideration. The left-arm spinner played 24 Tests and represented India in all three international formats. He took 144 international wickets in all three formats during his career, according to reports.
Ojha also has a key distinction in the current discussion: he has already been part of the BCCI's senior men's selection committee. The BCCI's official records from its 2025 AGM list Ojha as one of the members of the men's selection committee together with Agarkar, Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and R.P. Singh.
That experience gives Ojha a feel for the role of the selection committee, including the review of domestic and international performances and involvement in squad decisions.
What's next?
The BCCI is yet to formally comment on whether Agarkar will receive an extension and/or whether a new chairman will be appointed. Patel and Ojha’s report on Patel and Ojha should be viewed as a process of selection not an indication of the final appointment.
If the board decides to make a change, the incoming chairman will inherit an important phase of Indian cricket. The senior men's team faces a packed white-ball schedule, and long-term planning for major ICC tournaments will also remain a central responsibility for the selection committee.
Agarkar is still chairman of the senior selection panel but the rise of Patel and Ojha among the candidates in September 2026 has made the leadership question one of the biggest administrative news about Indian cricket. A final decision will only come into clarity when the BCCI meets and makes the announcement.
