India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has opened up about his working relationship with Rahul Dravid, revealing that the two had their share of disagreements during Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach. Known for his calm and composed nature, Dravid has always been regarded as one of the most respected and controversy-free figures in Indian cricket.

However, Ajit Agarkar’s revelation sheds light on the intensity and passion that drives discussions behind the scenes of team selection. Speaking to NDTV, Agarkar admitted that while he and Dravid share a strong friendship, they often disagreed during selection meetings.

“Rahul Dravid was coach before this — he’s a dear friend — and we’ve had some, I won’t call them bust-ups, but real disagreements about what he wanted. But that’s only because both of us were trying to do what’s best for the team,” Ajit Agarkar said.

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He further explained that the selection process is a collaborative effort involving the coach and the captain, as their input is crucial in shaping the team’s balance and strategy.

“Eventually, it’s our decision to make. Whether it was with Rahul before or Gautam [Gambhir] now, and even with captains — Rohit before this and Shubman now — we discuss things. Our job is to give the best possible 15 so that the captain and coach can have their life made easier. Not involving them would be foolish,” Ajit Agarkar added.

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Currently, Indian cricket is entering a new era of leadership, with Shubman Gill taking over as captain across formats and Gautam Gambhir stepping in as head coach. The young duo now shoulders the responsibility of guiding India into the future. Their first major challenge together will be the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19 in Perth, where fans eagerly await seeing the new partnership in action.