With Ajit Agarkar reportedly informing Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would not be interested in continuing as cheif selector beyond his current contract, rumours are strong that the drama surrounding the future of former skipper Rohit Sharma and the ever growing differences with Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman was reasons behind it.
It all started with Agarkar not even remotely joining the all-important review meeting held in Mumbai to discuss the England white ball series debacle and the road ahead.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended him but at one level, many in the board thought that Agarkar should have attended such an important meeting.
While he was not averse to continuing till end of 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, the BCCI over the last month dropped enough hints that they would be looking at a fresh face.
Normally, the BCCI, would not like to let go of someone whose panel picked squads that reached four ICC white ball tournament finals in last three years, winning three trophies (two T20 WC title and one CT).
But then relation between Agarkar and the current BCCI regime turned frosty mainly due to couple of reasons.
BCCI statement on Rohit’s future
It was just before the white ball series against England when the selection committee headed by now former chairman Agarkar in consonance with Indian team management and the key decision makers in the BCCI decided to move on from veteran opener Rohit Sharma after the Lord’s ODI.
Accordingly a collective decision was taken and South Zone selector Pragyan Ojha, who happens to be one of Rohit’s closest friends, was asked to ‘communicate’ the decision to the two-time ICC Trophy winning former skipper.
Rohit, who wants to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, was not exactly happy when the message was conveyed. He spoke to a very powerful administrator and expressed his misgivings about how he was being treated by the chairman of selectors.
Those who know Agarkar confirmed that when BCCI officially issued a statement backing Rohit and dismissing talks of his retirement post Lord’s, he was left slighted and angry.