Gambhir hails Agarkar after exit: 'History will be kinder to you'
Synopsis
Gautam Gambhir's farewell post to Ajit Agarkar is more than a courtesy — it is a verdict on a tenure that delivered three ICC trophies in three years. Agarkar leaves Indian cricket selection with a record few predecessors can match, yet departs without a renewal, with questions around Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future still unanswered.
Key Takeaways
India head coach Gautam Gambhir posted a tribute to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar on X on 7 October 2026 , saying 'History will be kinder to you.' Agarkar's tenure, which began in July 2023 , yielded the 2024 T20 World Cup , 2025 Champions Trophy , and 2026 T20 World Cup , plus a 2023 ODI World Cup final appearance.
The BCCI has formally invited applications to fill the vacant West Zone chief selector slot, with a deadline of 14 October .
Former spinner Pragyan Ojha is serving as acting chairman; the current panel also includes Shiv Sundar Das , Ajay Ratra , and RP Singh .
Agarkar's absence from a Mumbai review meeting last month was the first clear sign his contract would not be renewed.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, paid a heartfelt tribute to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, crediting him with building a team-first culture that delivered three ICC trophies during his tenure. Agarkar's term as chairman of the senior men's selection committee formally concluded on Tuesday, after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opened applications for the vacant slot in the five-member panel.
Gambhir's tribute on X
Taking to his account on X, Gambhir wrote: 'Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours !!'
The message underscored the bond forged during a period widely regarded as one of Indian cricket's most decorated stretches in global tournaments.
A golden era in Indian cricket
Agarkar assumed charge in July 2023 and oversaw an unprecedented run of ICC silverware. Under his watch, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final before clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup. His final assignment as chief selector was naming the white-ball squads for the ongoing series against the West Indies.
Notably, Agarkar's three-year stint ends with India holding a unique distinction — no ICC knockout-round defeat across four tournaments.
Pragyan Ojha steps in as acting chairman
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has taken over as acting chairman of the selection committee and has already presided over squad selections for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand and three India A matches. The current panel comprises Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh.
As per BCCI protocol, the selector with the most Test caps assumes the chairmanship in an acting capacity. Ojha, who represented India in 24 Tests, currently holds seniority within the four-member group.
BCCI invites applications for chief selector
The BCCI has set 14 October as the deadline for applications to fill the West Zone slot vacated by Agarkar. The eligibility criteria require candidates to have played a minimum of seven Tests, 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs alongside 20 first-class games, and to have retired at least five years ago. The new selector's responsibilities will include long-term squad planning, talent identification, domestic match monitoring, and strategy meetings.
The circumstances behind Agarkar's exit
Agarkar's departure had been the subject of intense speculation for months, particularly around questions of Rohit Sharma's place in the squad for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup — a matter that BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia publicly dismissed as unfounded. The most concrete signal of a non-renewal came when Agarkar was absent from a review meeting held last month in Mumbai, widely read as an indication that his contract would not be extended.
With the BCCI now seeking fresh applications, Indian cricket enters a transitional phase in its selection leadership — even as the team remains at the peak of its global standing.
Point of View
Yet without a renewal. The BCCI has said little publicly about why, which itself is telling. The Rohit Sharma-and-2027 subplot was denied loudly, but denials rarely arise unprompted. The real question mainstream coverage has skirted is whether the Board's internal power dynamics, not performance, drove the decision — and what that signals for the next selector's independence.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ajit Agarkar leave as India's chief selector?
Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chairman of the senior men's selection committee ended when the BCCI chose not to renew his contract. His absence from a review meeting in Mumbai last month was widely seen as the first clear signal of a non-renewal, though the BCCI has not officially cited a specific reason.
What trophies did India win under Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chief selector?
India won three ICC trophies during Agarkar's tenure: the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The team also reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Who is the acting chief selector after Agarkar's departure?
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has taken charge as acting chairman of the selection committee. He has already overseen squad selections for the T20I series against New Zealand and India A games. Ojha holds seniority on the panel by virtue of having played 24 Tests for India.
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for India's chief selector post?
Candidates must have played at least seven Tests, 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs along with 20 first-class games, and must have retired at least five years ago. The BCCI has set 14 October as the application deadline for the West Zone slot vacated by Agarkar.
What did Gautam Gambhir say about Ajit Agarkar?
Gambhir posted on X: 'Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you.' He also extended heartfelt wishes for Agarkar's future endeavours.
