In a series of interesting events, it has been reported that the BCCI is considering extending Ajit Agarkar's tenure as the chairman of India's senior men's selection committee. The board's top officials are set to hold discussions with the former India pacer, with a fresh one-year term likely to be among the key matters on the agenda.
As per a latest report by The Indian Express, discussions are set to be held once India's ongoing Test assignment in Sri Lanka comes to an end. The series starts with the first encounter in Galle on Saturday, before the action shifts to Colombo for the second and final Test, starting on August 23.
Agarkar's tenure as chief selector
Agarkar has been heading India's senior men's selection panel since taking over the duties in 2023, with his third year in charge set to be completed this September. Under the BCCI's existing guidelines, a chairman of selectors is permitted to stay in the role for up to four years. As an outcome, the former India pacer can continue for another year if the board decides to renew his contract.
Difference over Rohit Sharma's future?
The latest development comes amid a tussle between the BCCI and the selection panel regarding Rohit Sharma's future in the ODI setup. The clouds of doubts over the future of the former India captain and the way in which the situation has been handled are believed to have emerged as key points of discussions as the board evaluates Agarkar's continuation as chief selector.
Reports claim that the selection panel had informed Rohit that the Indian team will look beyond him in the ODI side after the England series. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later offered a different view, publicly backing the experienced batter and saying that Rohit remains part of the national team's plans.
“I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord’s on Sunday. Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, Lord’s ODI won’t be his last match,” said Saikia to PTI in July.
However, Rohit gave a strong reply to his critics by smashing a sensational knock of 138 runs against England in the third and final ODI of the series. Unfortunately, India lost the ODI series by 2-1 despite strong performances from Rohit and Virat Kohli.