Chairman of the senior men’s selection committee Ajit Agarkar was a notable absentee from the BCCI’s high-level review meeting on Thursday, where India’s disappointing performances on the tours of Ireland and England, player injuries and preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup came under scrutiny. India suffered a shock 0-2 series defeat in Ireland before enduring a difficult tour of England, losing the five-match T20I series 1-4 and the three-match ODI series 1-2. The meeting at the BCCI headquarters was attended by Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence director of cricket VVS Laxman and senior Board officials. Agarkar’s absence attracted attention amid speculation surrounding his future as chief selector, with his current tenure running until the end of September.
BCCI explains absence
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, however, said there was nothing unusual about Agarkar missing the meeting, explaining that it had been convened at short notice when the former India pacer was out of town. “Today he was out of station. He could not be a part of the meeting because this meeting was called at a very short notice,” Saikia told reporters. “Our head of the selection committee, Ajit, was not in town so he could not join it. He was in such an area that he could not join online also in spite of our best efforts,” he added.
Saikia also dismissed suggestions that Agarkar’s contract or changes to the selection committee were discussed during Thursday’s deliberations. “There was no such discussion in today’s meeting,” he said when asked about a possible extension for the chief selector.
Injuries, overseas form reviewed
The BCCI secretary said the meeting instead concentrated on India’s recent performances, including the tours of Ireland and England, along with fitness and injury-management concerns and preparations for upcoming assignments.
The Board has been concerned about the frequency of injuries to players and the demanding international calendar. The review also examined ways to improve scheduling and provide players adequate recovery and preparation time, particularly ahead of overseas assignments. The BCCI is looking at building more rest periods into the next Future Tours Programme cycle and providing sufficient acclimatisation time and warm-up matches before major tours, particularly in SENA countries.
Agarkar took over as chairman of selectors in July 2023. During his tenure, India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup before winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
His tenure has also coincided with a major transition in Indian cricket, including the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests and T20Is and Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup emerging as the Board’s principal long-term target, Thursday’s meeting focused on addressing recent setbacks and drawing up a roadmap for the team’s next phase.