Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Ajit Agarkar as chairman of the BCCI’s men’s senior selection committee, according to recent reports. Agarkar’s tenure is nearing its end, although the BCCI has not yet formally confirmed his replacement. Agarkar took charge of the selection committee in 2023 and may have already chaired his final selection meeting.
The committee recently announced India’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, along with the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup. According to The Times of India, Patel has been discussed within BCCI circles for several months as a possible successor to Agarkar. Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is also reportedly among the contenders for the position.
The developments come after Agarkar missed a recent BCCI review meeting in Mumbai, which was attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer and BCCI Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman.
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A source quoted by The Times of India questioned Agarkar’s absence from a meeting involving several key figures in Indian cricket. “You had everyone available there. It’s not every day you get the key figures of Indian cricket under the same roof… So it was a bit strange that the chairman of the men’s senior selection committee wasn’t there when key issues were on the table. It just doesn’t add up.”
Parthiv Patel, meanwhile, brings extensive experience from his playing career and has worked in coaching and franchise cricket after retirement. He made his Test debut for India as a teenager in 2002 and went on to play 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and two T20Is.
Aava de! Parthiv Patel is frontrunner for chief selector if BCCI, Ajit Agarkar fail to agree extension.
Parthiv’s name has been doing rounds in power corridors of Indian cricket since few months now & he is likely to be in hot seat if no late surpriseshttps://t.co/DRKnTgkxFq
— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) September 18, 2026
His international career coincided with the emergence of MS Dhoni, who eventually established himself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper across formats. Patel subsequently faced competition from Dhoni and later from players such as Wriddhiman Saha and Dinesh Karthik.
Patel also featured in the Indian Premier League, representing several franchises during his playing career, including Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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For now, the BCCI’s decision on Agarkar’s future and his potential successor remains pending. The board’s latest annual general meeting has authorised its office-bearers to decide the future of the men’s senior selection committee, meaning further clarity is expected in the coming days.
