A change at the top of India’s selection committee could bring a new voice to some of the biggest decisions in Indian cricket. India has already started preparing for the next ODI World Cup cycle. The person who takes over from Ajit Agarkar will have several important decisions to make.
The change could also bring some familiar names from India’s recent cricket setup into the picture. So, who could be considered if there is a change?
5 contenders who could replace Ajit Agarkar
Here are five names who could be considered for the role after Ajit Agarkar.
1. Parthiv Patel
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has become one of the main names in the discussion around the Ajit Agarkar replacement.
Recent reports have named Patel as the leading candidate if Agarkar does not continue. His name has reportedly been discussed in BCCI circles for the past few months as a possible replacement.
Patel has experience in different areas of cricket. He played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and two T20Is for India. The wicketkeeper-batter also worked in franchise cricket after ending his playing career.
Patrhiv has worked in coaching and support roles in the IPL. He was also part of the Gujarat Titans setup in 2026. His experience of working with players and spotting talent could help him in a selection role.
Patel’s 25 Test matches also give him an advantage under the BCCI’s selection rules. The criteria consider international experience as well as domestic cricket experience.
For now, Parthiv Patel remains one of the main names being discussed as India’s next chief selector.
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2. Pragyan Ojha
Pragyan Ojha is another name linked with the Ajit Agarkar replacement discussion.
Ojha already works on the current senior men’s selection committee. This gives him direct experience of the selection process and the decisions needed to build India’s squads.
The former left-arm spinner played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and six T20Is for India. He took 113 wickets in Test cricket and spent several years around the national team.
Recent reports have named Ojha and Parthiv as two of the main candidates for the chief selector’s role.
His current position on the committee could also make him an option if the BCCI needs someone to handle the committee until it makes a permanent appointment.
3. Shiv Sundar Das
Shiv Sundar Das is another former India batter with experience in the selection system.
Das has already worked with India’s senior selection setup. He has also taken charge in an acting role in the past. This experience means he knows how the selection committee works and would not be a completely new face in the system.
He played 23 Tests and four ODIs for India. He also has strong domestic cricket experience, which gives him an understanding of the players coming through the domestic system.
If the BCCI wants someone who already knows the current selection structure, Das could be one of the names it considers.
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4. RP Singh
Former India fast bowler RP Singh is another name that could come into the discussion about India’s next chief selector.
Singh played 14 Tests, 58 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India. He took 40, 69 and 15 wickets in the three formats respectively. He also played 82 IPL matches and took 90 wickets.
His experience with the selection setup gives him another connection to the role. Singh has previously worked with the national selection system and understands both domestic and international cricket.
His international experience and knowledge of the selection process could make him one of the names considered if the BCCI makes changes to the current committee. Recent reports have also mentioned Singh among the possible candidates.
5. VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman is a bigger name in this discussion, but his situation is different from the other candidates.
The former India batter currently works with the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He has been involved in India’s wider high-performance and player-development system. The BCCI has described Laxman as its Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence.
VVS Laxman has also worked closely with Indian players. He has taken charge of the men’s team as an interim coach on different occasions, including the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.
His name has also been linked with the India new selector role during the recent speculation around Agarkar. However, his current work with the BCCI could make a move to the selection committee more difficult.
What is Ajit Agarkar’s current situation?
The BCCI has not officially confirmed what will happen with Ajit Agarkar.
Agarkar became the chairman of the senior men’s selection committee in July 2023. His original three-year term has now ended. He is currently understood to be working under a temporary extension that runs until October 4, 2026.
Recent reports say Agarkar has told the BCCI he does not want to continue after his current term. The Indian Express also reported that Agarkar has decided not to seek an extension.
However, the BCCI has not officially announced his departure.
After the board’s Annual General Meeting, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board still had time to make a decision. He said there were around 15 days left and that the board would take a decision at the right time.
The BCCI has also given its office-bearers the authority to decide on the future of the senior selection committee.
So, reports suggest that Ajit Agarkar could leave the role, but the BCCI has not officially confirmed his departure as of September 19.
If Agarkar leaves, the BCCI may not appoint his permanent replacement immediately. The board is expected to follow its selection process, which could include advertising the position and holding interviews. This process could take some time.
The Ajit Agarkar replacement discussion currently includes Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha as the main names. Shiv Sundar Das, RP Singh and VVS Laxman are also among the names who could be considered.
The final decision will be made by the BCCI. Agarkar’s current term is scheduled to run until October 4.
What do you think? Who should the BCCI consider for the India new selector role if Ajit Agarkar does not continue? Let us know in the comments.
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