India men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a touching tribute to outgoing BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar after his tenure officially came to a close. The BCCI has formally set the ball rolling to appoint a new member to its Men’s Selection Committee, inviting applications for the vacant position following Ajit Agarkar’s exit.
In his message on X, Gambhir appeared to take a jibe at critics of Agarkar, stressing that the success that Team India had over the last three years was because of team-first attitude and conviction.
Agarkar, whose tenure ended earlier this week, was among the chief selectors who were willing to take bold and, at times, unpopular calls. His tenure saw India move on from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket, while Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the T20I side weeks after leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.
“Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours !!” Gambhir wrote on X.
The selection committee also placed an emphasis on building for the future, with Agarkar often backing younger options over established names. Not every call worked, and some of his decisions invited criticism, but the broader approach remained consistent: India kept moving forward rather than looking back. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall to the T20I side, coming immediately after Agarkar’s departure, was a notable shift in that thinking, with the veteran returning after nearly four years.
The governing body released the application notice on Tuesday, just 48 hours after Agarkar’s term as chairman came to an end on October 4. Agarkar had been at the helm of the senior men’s selection panel since taking charge in July 2023, but reports had indicated that he was not interested in seeking an extension.
Gambhir became the coach of the Indian team during Agarkar’s tenure and both men have worked hand-in-hand to deliver the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.
AGARKAR’S TIME AS CHIEF SELECTOR
Agarkar took charge of India’s senior men’s selection panel on July 4, 2023, and remained in the chairman’s role for just over three years, with his tenure ending in October 2026. His stint coincided with one of the most successful periods in Indian cricket, with the team winning three ICC trophies: the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. India also reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final during his tenure.
During Agarkar’s tenure, the selection committee also appeared more accessible to the media, with the former India all-rounder regularly addressing the press after selection meetings and explaining the thinking behind major calls. Agarkar himself acknowledged the nature of the job, saying it was impossible to please everyone and that selectors would inevitably face criticism given the level of interest in Indian cricket.
His tenure, however, was not without controversy. One of the biggest talking points was the uncertainty surrounding the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as India began looking towards the 2027 World Cup. In October 2025, Agarkar had publicly backed the two veterans to continue, saying they would not be put “on trial” given their outstanding ODI records.
The uncertainty returned in 2026, particularly around Rohit’s future, with reports of differences between Agarkar and the BCCI over how the veteran’s ODI career should be handled. The issue eventually became one of the factors surrounding the end of Agarkar’s tenure.
There were also moments when the selectors’ decisions drew criticism from fans and sections of the cricketing community, particularly when established names were phased out.
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