It is rumored that former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin will be the next chairman of the Indian national cricket team, replacing current chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Ajit Agarkar serves as the chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), whose contract with the board is about to expire.
It is widely speculated that Ravichandran could be Ashwin Agarkar’s successor. Despite rumours, at present it will not be possible to see Ashwin on the post of chairman of the selection panel.
Why Ravichandran Ashwin can’t become India’s chief selector right now: BCCI rules explained
To become the chief selector of a cricket board, every candidate is required to fulfill certain criteria set by the board. Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024, during India’s tour of Australia.
He will be eligible to apply for the role five years after his retirement from the India national cricket team. Ashwin retires from international cricket in 2024, so after five years he will be officially eligible to apply for the role.
Under the current circumstances, no matter how strong the rumours, BCCI rules will not allow the former spinner to apply for the role at present.
When can Ashwin actually become eligible?
To find out by what date Ravichandran Ashwin will be eligible to become the chief selector of the national cricket team, it is important to first understand the rules of BCCI. As per the rules, the applicant must have retired from all formats of the game at least 5 years before the application. Therefore, in a full circle, which will mark the completion of five years, it is necessary to qualify for this role.
Since Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket on December 18, 2024, the five-year period will end in December 2029, and he will be eligible for the post with effect from September 2030.
What is the current status of Ajit Agarkar and how has his tenure been?
Since July 2023, Ajit Agarkar has been serving the BCCI as the chairman of the panel of selectors. His contract was extended after India’s 2026 T20 World Cup victory. Throughout his tenure, the former fast bowler has made his mark as a selector, often taking bold decisions during the team’s transition phases across formats.
Agarkar faced several controversial phases due to the retirement of several senior cricketers including Ravichandran Ashwin. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were among the star cricketers who announced their retirement from T20Is and Tests. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane also announced their retirement during Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector.
However, the success achieved by Team India during this period also cannot be denied. Winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 Asia Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup are among the achievements the team has achieved so far with Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector.
India is currently preparing for another World Cup, which is the 2027 ODI World Cup. If the team performs well again, it will gradually build Agarkar’s CV.