The BCCI’s office-bearers have been given the authority to decide whether Ajit Agarkar continues as chairman of the senior men’s selection committee or is replaced after his current term ends on October 4.
The decision was left open during the Board’s 95th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Friday, with the member units authorising the office-bearers to take a call on matters related to the selection committees.
“The office bearers have been authorised to take decisions on the matters concerning the selection committees,” a senior BCCI official said after the meeting, without providing clarity on Agarkar’s future.
Representatives of the BCCI’s affiliated state associations attended the AGM, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly, representing
the Cricket Association of Bengal, and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad of the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
The Board also has to appoint all five members of the junior selection committee.
Mumbai Cricket Association Seeks More Big Matches
The Mumbai Cricket Association has asked the BCCI to take the Wankhede Stadium into consideration when allocating prominent fixtures, MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar said.
Wankhede has not hosted a Test since India’s match against New Zealand in late 2024, meaning it has been close to two years since the iconic venue staged the longest format.
The stadium is, however, set to host cricket again, with the inaugural Women’s Champions League scheduled for early next year and matches from the Women’s Premier League also due to be played there.
Tiwary Denies Knowledge Of Ranchi Test Shift
The possibility of India’s Test against Australia being shifted from Ranchi was not discussed at the AGM, according to Jharkhand State Cricket Association secretary and former India cricketer Saurabh Tiwary.
Tiwary said he had no information about any proposed change to the venue.
“This is news to me. If someone has to write to the BCCI (on this), that has to be me. I haven’t written anything. Nothing at all has been discussed at the AGM,” Tiwary told reporters here.
BCCI Begins Preparations For Centenary
The AGM also set the process in motion for the BCCI’s centenary celebrations in 2028.
Although the Board’s press release did not provide extensive details, it said the “General Body has initiated the process for the BCCI centenary celebrations in 2028.”
“The centenary will be celebrated through a year-long programme, commencing in December 2027 continuing through 2028, marking a landmark milestone in the history of Indian Cricket.”
The General Body also unanimously decided to mark the 20th edition of the Indian Premier League in 2027 with a grand celebration.
Dhumal, Majumdar Retained On IPL Governing Council
Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar, also known as “Mamon” Majumdar, were re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council.
The annual budget for the 2026-27 financial year was also approved, while auditors were appointed for the ongoing financial year.
Umpires To Get Pay Hike
The BCCI approved a revised payment structure for umpires and match referees, along with a reclassification of grades.
The Board did not disclose the revised figures. At present, umpires in the top two grades receive Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 per day respectively for senior domestic tournaments, while the daily payment for T20 matches is Rs 20,000.
Age Verification Policy Updated
The BCCI also adopted an updated Age Verification Policy following multiple instances of age fraud reported in some state units. In addition, a new Internal Committee was constituted under the BCCI’s Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
