Ajit Agarkar Top Contender To Become Indian Team's Chief Selector
Ajit Agarkar in race to become India's chief selector (Twitter)
Former Indian all-rounder Ajit Agarkar is one of the frontrunners for the post of Team India’s chief selector. The position has been vacant since Chetan Sharma’s exit from the role earlier this year.
The interviews for the top job are likely to be conducted on July 1.
Ajit Agarkar in line to replace Chetan Sharma
The last date for applying for the top job is June 30 while the interviews will likely be conducted on July 1, as per a recent TOI report. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that they have tasked a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) to conduct the interviews, and accordingly pick a selector through their merits.
Apart from Agarkar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri come as the other two contenders for the job at BCCI.
The committee itself consists of former cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe and Sulakshana Naik, who will also be announcing the next head coach for the Indian women’s team on the same day.
Previously, former Indian fast bowler Chetan Sharma was appointed as the chief selector in December 2020. During his regime, the ‘Men in Blue’ sustained tumultuous T20 World Cup campaigns in 2021 and 2022. He was sacked by the BCCI following India’s crashing exit from the 2022 edition, however, was re-appointed for the same. Earlier this year, he resigned from the post to leave the high-profile job vacant.
As of now, Ajit Agarkar is considered as one of the favourites to become Sharma’s replacement. Notably, the former Indian speedster has also involved with the chief selector’s post in the past, albeit in a lower capacity.
Agarkar played 26 Tests, 191 ODIs and four T20Is for India between his debut in 1998 till his final appearance in 2007. He is the third highest wicket-taker for Team India in ODIs, having snared 288 wickets in the format and is only behind legendary bowlers Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath.
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