Ajit Agarkar in presser - (Source: AFP)
India are eyeing history and are just two wins away from lifting the 3rd T20 World Cup title. The Men in Blue are in the semis, but the team is far from playing its perfect game. The management is being criticised, and the fans are coming down heavily on head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, despite their success.
Notably, in the latest developments, there are reports that the BCCI will not renew Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as the chief selector, and the former India seamer will vacate the position post T20 World Cup 2026, which was the length of his contract when the apex cricket board of India signed him on July 4, 2023.
Zaheer Khan Likely To Become Next Chief Selector
Further, a report from Gulistan news stated that former Indian pacer and Agarkar’s good friend Zaheer Khan is likely to become India’s next chief selector. The discussion are already underway between BCCI and the left-arm seamer.
Khan is expected to take on the new role following the T20 World Cup 2026, irrespective of India’s result in the ongoing tournament.
Notably, Zaheer Khan is not the only candidate fighting to become the next chief selector, but the report added that Harbhajan Singh is also keen on the role.
Eligibility To Become India's Chief Selector
There is a certain process and protocols in place to select the next chief selector. Here is the list of criteria set by the BCCI.
- Minimum of 7 Test Matches; or 30 First-Class Matches; or 10 ODIs and 20 First-Class Matches.
- Must have retired from the game at least 5 years prior.
- Must not have been a member of any Cricket Committee of the BCCI for a cumulative period of 5 years.
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Zaheer Khan fulfils all the criteria. The 47-year-old former left-arm Indian pacer has scalped 311 wickets in 92 Tests. Whereas in 200 ODIs, Zaheer ended with 282 wickets. He also represented India in 17 T20Is and scalped 17 wickets.
Zaheer announced his international retirement in 2015. Talking about Khan's stint in coaching, he joined as India's bowling coach in 2017 but later shifted his focus to IPL. His latest stint was with LSG in IPL 2025 as their mentor.
How has Ajit Agarkar fared as India selector?
Ajit Agarkar joined the selection committee in July 2023. He came under the scanner for ending the star culture as there were claims that he pushed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to test retirement in 2025.
Despite the criticism, India have achieved a lot under Agarkar's tenure. The Men in Blue reached 2023 World Cup final. The Rohit Sharma-led side beat South Africa to end ICC trophy drought in 2024 and won the T20 World Cup.
One brought two as India won the Champions Trophy in 2025, their third title. The latest accolade was 2025 Asia Cup where India beat Pakistan in the final.
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