Not even a week after selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar announced India's squad for Asia Cup 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a bold move. They have decided to replace two selectors from the men's selection committee. The Indian cricket board has opened applications for two spots in the committee and the ones who will eventually be selected for these positions will be responsible for selecting the Indian team across all the three formats..
Notably, only cricketers, who have some experience at the first-class level are eligible to become selectors for the national team. Not only this, the applicants must have played either a minimum of seven Test matches or 30 first-class games. Additionally, candidates who have featured in at least 10 One Day Internationals (ODIs) or 20 first-class matches will also be considered.
"The contracts of selectors are renewed annually. We have not yet identified which selectors will be replaced, but that process will be undertaken soon," a BCCI official told PTI.
According to a latest report by Hindustan Times, S Sharath is likely to be replaced by former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha in the selection committee. Sharath is soon expected to take over as the chief of the junior men's selection committee.
While BCCI is replacing 2 selectors from the selection committee on one hand, they are likely to extend the tenure of Ajit Agarkar to 2026 on the other. This comes after the Indian cricket team has delivered in Agarkar's time as the chief and have won two ICC trophies in as many years. They first won the T20 World Cup last year before lifting the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
“Under his tenure, the Indian team won titles and saw transitions in the Test and T20 formats too. The BCCI extended his contract till June 2026, and he accepted the offer a few months back,” a BCCI official had told The Indian Express.
Women's selection committee to also undergo massive changes
Meanwhile, it is not just the men's selection committee where changes are being made as BCCI has also opened applications for four positions on the women's national selection committee as well. The current panel includes Neetu David (Chairperson), Renu Margrate, Arati Vaidya, Kalpana Venkatachar, and Shyama Dey Shaw.