Follow UsFormer Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar has been appointed as the new chairman of the Indian selection committee, following the recommendation of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC, comprising Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape, conducted interviews with numerous candidates before finalizing Agarkar's name.
Agarkar will replace Chetan Sharma, who resigned from the role after a sting operation, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially acknowledged the incident. Agarkar, a former India all-rounder, represented the country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is. He still holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in ODIs, achieved with a 21-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in 2000.
Agarkar was part of India's victorious squad in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa. After retiring from cricket, he served as the chief selector for the senior Mumbai Team and later took on coaching responsibilities with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. However, he recently parted ways with the Delhi Capitals.
Agarkar's appointment means that former Odisha opener Shiv Sundar Das, who had been serving as the interim chairman, will vacate the role of the chairman butb will continue to be a member of the panel. Agarkar will be joined in the selection committee by Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, and Sridharan Sharath.
Furthermore, Agarkar's inclusion in the committee ensures that he becomes the second person from the West Zone to be part of the panel, joining his former teammate Salil Ankola. As a result, there is currently no representation from the North Zone and North East Zone in the selection committee.