The Indian cricket team is currently preparing for the big T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8. While the players are focused on winning trophies on the field, there is going to be a major change regarding the selection committee off the field.
Chairman Ajit Agarkar is reportedly going to step down from his post. According to the latest reports, former Indian wicketkeeper and current Gujarat Titans (GT) coach Parthiv Patel is the frontrunner to replace Agarkar as the new chief selector. Many fans believe that this change can be beneficial for Team India.
Ajit Agarkar unlikely to get extension in chief selector’s role
During the live broadcast of Times of India, Sahil Malhotra talked about Ajit Agarkar’s future and said, “Personally, if you ask me, I don’t think there will be an extension.”
The reporter confirmed that the replacement is coming from the West Region and is considered the frontrunner for the chairmanship.
When asked who the man from West Zone was, the reporter indicated that he was a left-handed batsman but not a fast bowler. Another panelist in the video responded to the news in Gujarati, saying, “Aapno chhokro chhe,” which translates to “He’s our boy.”
In all likelihood, Parthiv Patel is the frontrunner to replace Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector of the Indian cricket team.
This will be a big encouragement for Team India.
Hopefully better times await!
Reported by Sahil Malhotra in today’s TOI Live.
Om Sai Ram pic.twitter.com/SDqamgu4RJ– Akansha Goyal (@akansha93239) 7 March 2026
Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector of Team India
Agarkar took over the top post in mid-2023, and circumstances were very difficult. He came after the departure of Chetan Sharma, who was caught making lewd comments during a TV sting operation.
Agarkar inherits the huge responsibility of restoring confidence in a selection process that is constantly in the public eye. In the last three years under Agarkar’s selection, the Indian team has played in four major ICC finals.
They reached the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy and the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup. India have won two finals so far and lost one, with a chance for a third win against New Zealand on Sunday.
Ajit Agarkar took many bold decisions as chief selector
Ajit Agarkar’s time as chief selector will be remembered for taking some extremely difficult and bold decisions. He faced criticism when he backed Suryakumar Yadav as the long-term T20I captain instead of Hardik Pandya.
The former Indian fast bowler had removed Rohit Sharma from the post of ODI captain before the Australia tour last year and replaced him with young batsman Shubman Gill.
Agarkar did not try to hide from the media throughout his tenure. Agarkar and his selection panel, which currently includes Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh, SS Das and Ajay Ratra, have done a commendable job in building a strong team with great depth.
After the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Indian cricketers will represent their respective franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Men in Blue will next play against Afghanistan in one-Test and three ODIs.
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