Ajit Agarkar has decided not to seek an extension as chairman of the BCCI’s senior men’s selection committee when his current contract ends on October 4, according to reports. The former India allrounder has communicated his decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) this week.

Agarkar, who became India’s chief selector in July 2023, has overseen a highly successful period for Indian cricket. During his tenure, India won the 2023 and 2025 Asia Cups, the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and the 2025 Champions Trophy, while also reaching the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

Ajit Agarkar Informs BCCI of Decision

Agarkar’s current tenure as chairman of the senior selection committee is scheduled to end on October 4. According to the report, he had also discussed his future with the BCCI in recent months, including whether the board wanted him to continue through the 2027 ODI World Cup.

However, Agarkar has now communicated that he does not intend to seek an extension.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, speaking after the board’s annual general meeting in Mumbai on Friday, indicated that the BCCI had not yet made a final decision regarding Agarkar’s position.

“We still have 15 days to go. Fifteen days is a long time in the world of cricket. We will make a decision at an appropriate time,” Saikia said.

The BCCI will therefore have to determine whether to appoint Agarkar’s successor before India’s next major overseas assignment.

Agarkar’s Tenure as Chief Selector

Agarkar took charge as chairman of selectors in July 2023, replacing Chetan Sharma.

Since then, the selection committee has been involved in several important decisions concerning India’s senior men’s teams.

India won the Asia Cup in 2023 and 2025, reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, won the 2024 T20 World Cup and subsequently added the 2025 Champions Trophy. India also won the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The selection committee has also been involved in India’s leadership transition across formats.

One of the notable decisions during Agarkar’s tenure was the appointment of Shubman Gill as India’s captain in Test and ODI cricket. The panel also agreed earlier this year to appoint Shreyas Iyer as India’s T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav.

Suryakumar had previously led India to the T20 World Cup title in March.

Selection Committee Already Planning for 2027 World Cup

Agarkar’s committee had already begun planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in Africa in October-November next year.

One major decision was to look beyond Rohit Sharma following India’s tour of England in July. The decision was reportedly communicated to Rohit, although the veteran opener remains part of India’s squad for the upcoming home ODI series against West Indies.

The three-match ODI series is scheduled to begin on September 27.

The selection committee’s work on India’s immediate assignments has continued despite Agarkar’s decision. He chaired the selection meeting earlier this week that picked India’s squads for the West Indies white-ball series as well as the Irani Trophy, which begins on October 1.

BCCI Faces Quick Decision Ahead of New Zealand Tour

Agarkar’s departure would come at a significant time for Indian cricket because the national team is scheduled to travel to New Zealand in October.

India’s tour will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. Before the senior team’s arrival, India A are also scheduled to play two unofficial Tests as part of a shadow tour.

With the New Zealand tour beginning in mid-October, the BCCI will need to move relatively quickly if Agarkar’s decision is finalised and a new chairman of selectors is required.

A change at the top of the selection committee could therefore coincide with an important phase of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

IPL 2027 Auction to Take Place in December

The BCCI has also confirmed that the IPL auction for the 2027 season will take place in the second week of December.

The event will be the final mini-auction of the current 2023-27 IPL cycle. The BCCI is also planning major celebrations for the 20th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Arun Dhumal and Khairul Majumdar have been re-elected to the IPL Governing Council.

The IPL’s 20th season will form part of a broader period of celebrations for Indian cricket, with the BCCI also preparing for its centenary.

According to Saikia, the BCCI will complete 100 years in December 2027 and plans to conduct centenary celebrations for an entire year beginning in December 2027.

BCCI Revises Domestic Umpire and Match Referee Fees

The BCCI has also revised the fees paid to domestic umpires and match referees for the first time since 2017-18.

Under the previous fee structure, introduced in 2018, umpires received INR 40,000 per day for matches other than T20s and INR 20,000 per day for T20 matches. Match referees were paid INR 30,000 and INR 15,000 respectively.

Saikia said the fees have now been “enhanced substantially”, although the BCCI did not disclose the new exact figures.

The board has also divided umpires into four categories — A, B, C and D. Their assignments will be based on merit, with an assessment team under the BCCI’s umpires board responsible for evaluating performances.

The new system will also introduce promotion and relegation after each season.

According to Saikia, 10 umpires will be promoted and 10 relegated at the end of every season. The objective is to create a performance-based system and ensure greater consistency in domestic officiating.

Subhadeep Ghosh’s Fielding Coach Role Remains Temporary

The BCCI secretary also clarified the status of Subhadeep Ghosh, who was recently brought into India’s men’s fielding coaching setup.

Ghosh previously worked with India’s senior women’s team between 2021 and 2023 and is currently associated with the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

He joined the men’s setup ahead of India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after T Dilip’s contract ended.

Saikia said Ghosh’s appointment was made on a short-term basis. The BCCI will make a final decision on his future after assessing his performance and taking the views of the Indian team management into account.

Junior Selection Committee Appointments Expected Soon

The BCCI is also in the process of appointing a new junior men’s selection committee.

The board had invited applications for five positions after the tenure of the S Sharath-led panel ended last month. The application deadline was September 5.

Saikia said the BCCI had received a large number of applications and was currently shortlisting candidates.

The shortlisted names will subsequently be forwarded to the cricket committee, which will select the members of the junior selection committee.

The BCCI expects the process to be completed within the next 10 to 15 days.

What Happens Next for India’s Selection Committee?

Agarkar’s decision comes at a significant point in India’s transition towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. His committee has already been involved in planning beyond several established senior players and has played a role in establishing new leadership across formats.

For now, Agarkar remains in his position until the end of his current contract on October 4. The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the leadership of the senior selection committee before then, particularly with India’s New Zealand tour beginning shortly afterward.

The coming weeks will therefore be important for the BCCI, with decisions on the senior selector, junior selection committee and India’s wider support staff structure all expected to take shape.