Former India cricketers Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha have reportedly emerged as contenders to succeed Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector of the Indian men’s cricket team. According to an NDTV report, Agarkar’s current contract is due to expire this month, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly unlikely to extend his tenure.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee recently finalized the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup and India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies. The BCCI is expected to appoint a new chief selector in October, with the incoming chairman of selectors set to oversee India’s selections for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Agarkar’s tenure has also come under scrutiny following reports of differences between the former India all-rounder and the BCCI over Rohit Sharma’s position in the ODI setup. Rohit faced questions after registering low scores in the opening two matches of India’s three-game ODI series against England.
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Reports had suggested that the selectors did not see Rohit as part of their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, the veteran opener answered those doubts with a stunning 138 in the series decider at Lord’s, despite India eventually losing the series 2-1. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later dismissed reports surrounding Rohit’s international future, stating that the senior batter could continue playing as long as he remained part of the selectors’ plans.
Subsequent reports claimed that Agarkar was unhappy with Saikia’s public comments, reportedly contributing to tensions between the selection committee and the BCCI. With the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for Friday, reports suggest Agarkar is unlikely to receive an extension, despite being eligible for another year.
Ajit Agarkar reportedly clashed with the BCCI over Rohit Sharma’s ODI future.
His likely successors are Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha, both former Mumbai Indians teammates of Rohit.
The selector pushing him out is being replaced by two men who know him best.
— Gully Point (@gullypoint_) September 17, 2026
According to NDTV, Parthiv Patel and Pragyan Ojha are among the names being considered for the position. Ojha is already part of the senior selection committee as the East Zone representative, while Parthiv has been associated with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Both former India players also have previous associations with Rohit, having shared the Mumbai Indians dressing room with the veteran batter. Parthiv represented India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and two T20Is, scoring 934 Test runs and 736 ODI runs. He also featured in 139 IPL matches, accumulating 2,848 runs, including 13 half-centuries.
Ojha, meanwhile, played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs and six T20Is for India. The left-arm spinner claimed 113 Test wickets and 21 ODI wickets during his international career. Both Parthiv and Ojha have also been part of three IPL-winning campaigns.
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The Agarkar-led committee selected Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The series begins on September 27, giving the two experienced batters another opportunity to continue their ODI careers following earlier uncertainty.
Rohit’s 138 at Lord’s remains a significant talking point ahead of the series. The West Indies tour could provide another chance for him to strengthen his position in India’s ODI setup before the new chief selector takes charge ahead of the team’s upcoming assignments.
