Ajit Agarkar's Biggest Controversies As BCCI Chief Selector

Ajit Agarkar grabbed headlines for several controversies [Source: AFP]Ajit Agarkar's stint as India’s chief selector seems to be nearing its end. According to several recent reports, the former India player has already informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he does not want to continue after his current term.It is worth noting that the BCCI has authorised its office-bearers to decide the future of the senior selection committee. However, the BCCI has not made an official announcement on Agarkar's replacement.How Was Ajit Agarkar's Tenure As Chief Selector?Ajit Agarkar became chairman of the men's selection committee on July 4, 2023, and he replaced Chetan Sharma in the role.During his tenure, the Indian team enjoyed immense success, winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. But the three-year period has also seen selection calls that sparked intense debate.Having said this, in this article, let’s take a look at the several controversial decisions taken by Ajit Agarkar's as India's chief selector.Also Read: Ajit Agarkar's Replacement As Chief Selector: BCCI Shortlists 2 CandidatesThe 'Non-Committal' Comment About Rohit Sharma And Virat KohliOne of the most talked-about moments came in October 2025, when Agarkar discussed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future.Agarkar said neither player had committed strongly to play in the upcoming 2027 World Cup. He also made it clear that India would look at the situation as the tournament got closer, rather than deciding in advance."Both Rohit and Virat are non-committal about the World Cup (2027)," Ajit Agarkar said."They are greats of the game and They scored tons of runs for India. We just expect scored runs for India and continue to do that. They are leaders in the team," he further said of the duo. It also received another round of attention when Rohit was seen wearing a T-shirt that read “non-committal?” during the show the star player is hosting ‘Family Full House With Rohit Sharma’. Fans connected the two events and viewed the shirt as a possible response to Agarkar.The Rohit Sharma ODI Future DebateDuring Ajit Agarkar’s tenure, how Rohit Sharma’s ODI future was handled also became an even issue in 2026.Earlier, reports said the selectors wanted India to start planning for life beyond Rohit before the 2027 World Cup. The situation, however, did not follow a straight line as both Rohit and Kohli were included in India’s latest ODI squad for the West Indies, under the leadership of Shubman Gill.Reports also linked the disagreement over Rohit Sharma’s future to Agarkar’s decision not to seek another term as chief selector.Suryakumar Yadav's T20I CaptaincyAnother major decision came in June 2026 when Shreyas Iyer was named India’s new T20I captain. This change became the talk of the town, as the selectors made it after Suryakumar Yadav had led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title soon before that.Ajit Agarkar later said the decision came after a broader review and was in the team’s interest.Mohammed Shami And The Fitness DisputeMohammed Shami's selection also became another major point of discussion during Ajit Agarkar's tenure. The ace pacer played an important role for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, and this was the last time he played for the Men in Blue.His absence from India’s squads, despite fitness and good form, raised several questions on the selectors, including Agarkar.Earlier, Agarkar pointed to fitness and match-readiness concerns when explaining Shami’s exclusions. However, the ace pacer argued that his domestic form showed he could bowl long spells and play 50-over cricket. Along with him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s prolonged absence also raised questions on the selectors.Also Read: Wasim Akram Slams Babar Azam For Accepting Pakistan Captaincy