Agarkar wanted to make Ruturaj the India captain [Source: AFP]Ajit Agarkar’s selection tenure witnessed India’s rise in white-ball cricket, with three consecutive ICC trophies bagged by the nation. He became the Chairman of Selectors in July 2023, and under his guidance, the team also managed to reach the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup.While there were lots of positives from his stint, Agarkar’s tenure was also marred by numerous controversies, including the long-standing Rohit Sharma saga. He was not in favour of keeping Rohit in the scheme of things for the 2027 World Cup, while the board backed the player.However, The Telegraph has reported that the problems between Agarkar and the BCCI date back to July 2023, right at the start of his selection tenure.Agarkar's first beef with the BCCI involving Jasprit Bumrah, Ruturaj GaikwadThe Telegraph report stated that the disagreement between Agarkar and the BCCI started in July 2023, during his second meeting with the board. India was supposed to travel to Ireland for a T20I series, and fresh faces were picked for the tour, with the regular members, including captain Rohit Sharma, being rested for the Asia Cup.As a result, India needed a new captain to replace Rohit, and Agarkar was firm on appointing Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was appointed the skipper of India’s Asian Games squad. However, the board opposed the decision as they were keen on appointing Jasprit Bumrah as the captain.Agarkar wanted to appoint Gaikwad, so as to reduce the workload on Bumrah, who was coming into the Indian team on the back of a long injury break.Also Read: Ajit Agarkar Forced To Quit BCCI Over Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman SagaThe BCCI, however, wanted Bumrah to take the team’s charge on the Ireland tour, and this was the first taste of what was about to brew between the board and the Chairman of Selectors.The Rohit Sharma saga further fuelled differences between Agarkar and the BCCIOne major talking point during Agarkar’s selection tenure has been the question mark surrounding Rohit Sharma’s place in the ODI side for the 2027 ODI World Cup.An excellent servant of the game, Rohit retired from T20Is after the World Cup and announced his shocking Test retirement in May 2025 to concentrate on his ODI journey. However, it was reported that Agarkar was not too keen on having him in the scheme of things. This became evident when Rohit was removed from ODI captaincy despite winning the Champions Trophy.The breaking point was reached when Rohit was apparently told by the selectors that the Lord’s ODI against England would be his last ODI game. The BCCI immediately intervened, and Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the former captain is going nowhere and will remain a part of the team.Agarkar's replacement almost finalisedThe former Indian cricketer’s last assignment as the Chairman of Selectors was to pick the white-ball squads for the home series against the West Indies.The Telegraph reported that the BCCI wasn’t keen on Agarkar’s continuance, and the board has yet to formally acknowledge his departure from his post.The BCCI has not yet picked his replacement, but most likely, the former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel is the front-runner to become the new Chief Selector.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Warned, Given Brutal Reality Check After India Snub
