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"Will speak to selectors": After SA whitewash, BCCI responds to scrutiny on Ajit Agarkar

Sakshi Sharma

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar (Source: AFP)Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar (Source: AFP)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally responded to the rising criticism aimed at chief selector Ajit Agarkar following India's 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa at home. The whitewash has triggered major questions about India’s selection strategy and team planning under the current head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.

India’s recent performances in Tests have been inconsistent. Since Gambhir and Agarkar took charge, India have lost two home Test series, one to New Zealand last year and now to South Africa.

Criticism over Agarkar’s absence from Domestic matches

One of the biggest criticisms against Agarkar is his declining presence at domestic games. While he has insisted that Indian players must participate in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy when not on national duty, Agarkar himself has rarely been seen at these games. 

It is important to note that there have been several reports that lack of direct scouting is creating distance between the selectors and domestic players.

Despite the criticism, the BCCI official told the Times of India that the board is not overly worried. The official noted that all domestic scores are available on the BCCI app, and the selectors have access to everything they need.

“We will speak to the selectors too (on the Test debacle), and as far as watching domestic games is concerned, every score comes on the app,” the Times of India quoted a BCCI official as saying.

Interestingly, it is important to note that Agarkar has been very active during India’s international tours. He was regularly seen during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia last year and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England earlier this year.

With the backlash intensifying after India's defeat against South Africa in the Test, the BCCI has confirmed that it will speak to the selection committee soon.