The much-anticipated BCCI review meeting was held in Mumbai on Thursday with the likes of board secretary Devajit Saikia, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman in attendance. The meeting was called to discuss the roadmap of Indian cricket, the alarming frequency at which players are getting injured, reviewing India’s recent overseas tour of Ireland and England, among others.
However, the absence of chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar has raised eyebrows. Even though Saikia categorically mentioned that the meeting was called at such short notice by him that it was not possible for Agarkar to attend as he’s not in Mumbai.
A report states that
the former India fast bowler is currently overseas. Interestingly, Saikia said there was not even the possibility of Agarkar joining the meeting online when he recently attended a selection meeting virtually.
“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. 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,” Saikia told reporters.
There have been questions over Agarkar’s position ever since the news of Rohit Sharma being reportedly told by the selectors that they are moving on from him was leaked to the media. Such was the furor that BCCI intervened to dismiss the speculations.
Agarkar’s current contract runs until July next year, but as of now it appears that it will be extended till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
When Saikia was asked if they discussed Agarkar’s contract extension, he replied, “There was no such discussion in today’s meeting.”
Under Agarkar’s tenure, India have won three ICC titles (two T20 World Cup titles, 2025 Champions Trophy), reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and two Asia Cup trophies as well.
His reign has also seen the retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli from Tests and T20Is alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from all forms of Indian cricket.
