BCCI invites applications for the position of selector after Ajit Agarkar’s tenure ends
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for one position on its men’s selection committee, formally starting the process of finding Ajit Agarkar’s replacement after his tenure as chairman of selectors ends.
The BCCI released the advertisement on Tuesday, two days after Agarkar’s tenure ended on October 4. he reportedly did not ask for an extension.
The BCCI itself has not issued a separate statement on Agarkar’s departure, but the board has now announced one seat in the five-member selection committee.
Former Indian left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is currently serving as interim leader committee. The other members are Shiv Sunder Das, RP Singh and Ajay Ratra.
Ojha, who has played 24 Tests for India, is in line to become the next chief selector. According to the BCCI constitution, the chairman of the selection committee is determined by test experience. If the incoming selector has played more tests than the other members of the commission, he becomes the chief selector. If not, Ojha, who has played the most Tests among the current members, will be promoted.
The new appointment is expected to come from the West Zone, which was the zone represented by Agarkar.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION CRITERIA?
The BCCI said the new member will be responsible for selecting the senior national men’s team for Tests, ODIs, T20Is and any other format. The selector will also participate in the identification of talents and the development of strength on the bench of the national team.
The board has set October 14 as the deadline for applications, with eligible candidates having to submit their applications by 5:00 PM IST. After screening and selection of applications, applicants will be invited to personal interviews.
Applicants must have played at least seven Tests or 30 First-Class matches or 10 ODIs and 20 First-Class matches. They must also have retired from the game at least five years ago.
The BCCI said that anyone who has been a member of any cricket committee as defined in its memorandum of association and rules and regulations for a cumulative period of five years will not be eligible for the position.
The duties of the new selector will go beyond the selection of teams. The BCCI said the member will be required to scout and evaluate players during both domestic and international matches and contribute to the selection and development of the senior team across formats.
The selector will also attend team meetings, travel and watch domestic and international matches as required, prepare quarterly team performance evaluation reports for the BCCI Apex Council and address the media regarding team selection.
The committee is also responsible for appointing the captain of the national team in each format.
Agarkar’s absence was already noticeable during India’s recent home ODI series against the West Indies. Ahead of the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30, head coach Gautam Gambhir held a lengthy meeting with the four-member selection committee. Ojha, Das, Ratra and RP Singh attended the meeting while Agarkar was absent. According to PTI, the discussion centered on India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand and the selection requirements for the series.
India subsequently completed the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, winning the first two matches before losing the third in New Chandigarh on 3 October. West Indies won the last ODI by five wickets, but India won the series 2–1.
The selection committee now faces its next task with India’s home match against New Zealand coming up. The New Zealand tour is set to include five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, with the first T20I to be played on October 22.
Thus, the BCCI advertisement begins the formal process of appointing a new member while Ojha continues as the interim head of the committee. The appointment will also determine who will eventually take charge of the selection committee as India continue their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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