In a significant development, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar has been named as the Chairman of the Indian Senior Men’s Selection Committee. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced this appointment on Tuesday, filling the vacancy that had been left after Chetan Sharma‘s resignation in February.
Agarkar emerged as the unanimous choice recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape, following his interview for the position. The selection criteria specified that the candidate should have played a minimum of seven Tests, 30 First-Class matches, or 10 ODIs and 20 First-Class matches. Additionally, the applicant should have retired from the game at least five years prior.
With an impressive playing career, Agarkar fulfills these requirements, having represented India in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is. He also enjoyed a successful domestic career, playing 110 first-class matches, 270 List A games, and 62 T20 matches.
The Mumbaikar holds several notable records, including being the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets in just 23 matches. He also holds the record for the fastest half-century in ODIs for India, achieved off just 21 balls against Zimbabwe in 2000.
Following his retirement from professional cricket, Agarkar served as the chief selector for the senior Mumbai team. He also gained coaching experience as part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) setup in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Agarkar’s immediate task will be to select the T20I squad for the upcoming tour of West Indies. The Test and ODI teams for this tour have already been selected by the panel led by interim chairman Shiv Sundar Das.
Men’s Selection Committee: Ajit Agarkar (Chairman), Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath.
