BCCI has appointed the former Indian all-rounder Ajit Agarkar as the new chairman of Team India’s Senior Men’s selection committee. “The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ms Sulakshana Naik, Mr Ashok Malhotra, and Mr Jatin Paranjape, interviewed applicants for the position of one selector in the Men’s Selection Committee. The three-member CAC has unanimously recommended Mr Ajit Agarkar for the said position” the BCCI statement said. The committee further recommended Ajit Agarkar’s name on the basis of seniority (total number of test matches).
The former India all-rounder represented the country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is, in addition to playing 110 first-class, 270 List A, and 62 T20 matches. In addition to playing for Team India, he has also played for Mumbai, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils and Cricket club of India.
He was part of India’s victorious squad in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007. He still holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in ODI. He achieved the feat with a 21-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in 2000. He also held the record for being the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets for nearly a decade, accomplishing the milestone in just 23 matches. Agarkar also has a test century at Lord’s and played an important part in Team India’s test victory in Australia in 2004, with the quickie taking a 6 wicket haul in Adelaide.
Post his playing career, Ajit Agarkar was appointed as the Chief Selector for the senior Mumbai Team and undertook coaching responsibilities with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has now taken the big job. The men’s selection committee includes Ajit Agarkar (Chairman), Shiv Sundar Das, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath.
Team India is a team in transition and this could be their first step towards stability and a new start after the uncertainty around the position of chief selector and also criticism from fans due to strange squad selections which have often backfired. This move also comes after Chetan Sharma’s resignation from the post after a sting operation, something which the BCCI has never acknowledged. Team India recently lost the World Test Championship Final to Australia amidst criticism of the selection and the playing XI by fans and pundits alike.
